What a great joy for me to give you this announcement: Christ is risen! I wish he came in every home, in every family, especially where there is more suffering in hospitals, prisons … “. The Pope said Francis, in his Easter Urbi et Orbi, who spoke at the end of the Mass celebrated in the churchyard of St. Peter.
“Above all – said Bergoglio – I want this ad to reach everyone’s hearts, because that is where God wants to spread this good news: Jesus is risen, there is hope for you, you are no longer under the dominion of sin, evil ! He won the love, won mercy! Always wins the mercy of God. ” “What does it mean that Jesus is risen?” He asked the Pope “It means that God’s love is stronger than evil and death itself, it means that the love of God can transform our lives, to flourish those parts of the desert that we are in our heart. It can do this the love of God. “
How many deserts, “even today – said Francesco – the human being has to go through! Especially the desert that is within him, when there is no love for God and neighbor, when there is no awareness of being the guardian of all that the Creator has given us and gives us. But the mercy of God can give rise to even the most arid land, can restore life to dry bones. ” “Let us renew the mercy of God – said the Pope – let us be loved by Jesus, let the power of his love also transform our lives, and become instruments of this mercy, channels through which God can irrigate the land, keep all creation, to bring about justice and peace.
Bergoglio then listed some critical situations on the international scene. “Yes, Christ is our peace, and through him – he said – we implore peace for the whole world. Peace in the Middle East, particularly between Israelis and Palestinians, who are struggling to find the path of concord, to resume negotiations with courage and availability to end a conflict that has lasted too long.
Francis then prayed for peace in Iraq, “why would definitely cease all violence,” and, “above all, for the beloved Syria, for its population hit by the conflict and the many refugees who are waiting for help and consolation. How much blood has been spilled! And how much suffering must be inflicted even before it is able to find a political solution to the crisis?
Peace for Africa – asked the Pope – still the scene of bloody conflicts. In Mali, for gatherings unity and stability, and in Nigeria, where, unfortunately, do not stop the attacks, which seriously threaten the lives of many innocent people, and where not a few people, including children, are being held hostage by terrorist groups. Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, where many are forced to leave their homes and are still living in fear.
It is not a mention of the veni of the Korean War, “Peace in Asia – has asked the Pope – especially on the Korean peninsula, because they exceed the differences and mature a renewed spirit of reconciliation.” “Peace all over the world – has finally asked Francis – still so divided by the greed of those seeking quick profits, hurt selfishness that threatens human life and the family, selfishness continues trafficking in persons, slavery more extensive this twenty-first century.
Peace to the whole world, torn by violence linked to drug trafficking and the exploitation of natural resources unfair! Peace on Earth questanostra! Risen Jesus bring comfort to those who are victims of natural disasters and make us responsible custodians of creation.
At the end of the Mass, Francis had wanted to take a ride through the crowd, stopping several times to embrace the jeep and sick children. It was expected that the Pope augurasse Happy Easter in 65 different languages, but Bergoglio decided not to do so.