Pope Francis' Easter Blessing: May Christ dispel the darkness of our suffering humanity

In his Easter blessing, Pope Francis invited humanity to unite in solidarity and look to the risen Christ for hope in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Today the announcement of the Church resounds throughout the world:" Jesus Christ is risen! ”-“ He is truly risen, ”Pope Francis said on April 12.

“The Risen One is also the Crucifix… In his glorious body he bears indelible wounds: wounds that have become windows of hope. Let us turn our gaze to him, so that he can heal the wounds of afflicted humanity, ”the pope said in an almost empty St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis gave the traditional Easter Sunday blessing Urbi et Orbi from inside the basilica after Easter Sunday mass.

“Urbi et Orbi” means “For the city [of Rome] and for the world” and is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas and other special occasions.

"Today my thoughts turn primarily to the many who have been directly affected by the coronavirus: the sick, the dead and family members who mourn the loss of their loved ones, to whom, in some cases, they have not even been able to tell one last goodbye. May the Lord of life welcome the dead into his kingdom and grant comfort and hope to those who still suffer, especially the elderly and those who are alone, ”he said.

The pope prayed for the vulnerable in nursing homes and prisons, for the suns and for those who suffer from economic difficulties.

Pope Francis acknowledged that many Catholics have been left without the consolation of the sacraments this year. He said it is important to remember that Christ has not left us alone, but he reassures us by saying: "I am risen and I am still with you".

"May Christ, who has already defeated death and opened to us the way of eternal salvation, dispels the darkness of our suffering humanity and guides us in the light of his glorious day, a day that knows no end", the Pope prayed. .

Before the blessing, Pope Francis offered the solemn Easter Mass on the altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica without the presence of the public due to the coronavirus. He did not give a homily this year. Instead, he paused for a moment of silent reflection after the gospel, which was proclaimed in Greek.

"In recent weeks, the lives of millions of people have suddenly changed," he said. “This is not the time for indifference, because the whole world is suffering and must be united to face the pandemic. May the risen Jesus give hope to all the poor, to those who live in the suburbs, to refugees and the homeless ”.

Pope Francis has invited political leaders to work for the common good and to provide the means for everyone to lead a dignified life.

He called on countries involved in conflicts to support the call for a global ceasefire and to ease international sanctions.

“This is not the time to continue manufacturing and trading weapons, spending huge amounts of money that should be used to care for others and save lives. Rather, this could be the time to end the long war that has caused such great bloodshed in Syria, the conflict in Yemen and hostilities in Iraq and Lebanon, ”the pope said.

Reducing, if not forgiving, debt can also help poor countries support their needy citizens, he stressed.

Pope Francis prayed: "In Venezuela, may it make it possible to reach concrete and immediate solutions that can allow international assistance to a population suffering from the serious political, socio-economic and health situation".

"This is not a time for self-centeredness, because the challenge we are facing is shared by all, without distinguishing between people," he said.

Pope Francis stated that the European Union was facing "an epochal challenge, on which not only its future but that of the whole world will depend". He asked for solidarity and innovative solutions, stating that the alternative would risk a peaceful coexistence for future generations.

The pope prayed that this Easter season would be a time of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. He asked the Lord to end the suffering of those living in eastern Ukraine and the suffering of people facing a humanitarian crisis in Africa and Asia.

The resurrection of Christ is "the victory of love over the root of evil, a victory that does not 'by-pass' suffering and death, but passes through them, opening a path into the abyss, transforming evil into good: this is the unique hallmark of God's power, ”Pope Francis said.