Celebrating Easter with Pope Francis
As the morning sun rose over Saint Peter’s Square, Pope Francis led the Easter Mass with a message of hope and renewal. The joy of Easter was palpable as over fifty thousand faithful gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The Square was adorned with vibrant flowers, a tradition that has been upheld by Dutch florists for 40 years.
Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the Archpriest emeritus of Saint Peter’s Basilica, presided over the liturgy and shared the homily prepared by Pope Francis for the occasion. The theme of the homily centered around the urgency of seeking the risen Lord, just as Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John did when they discovered the empty tomb.
Seeking the Risen Christ
Pope Francis emphasized the importance of actively seeking the risen Christ in our lives and in the world around us. He urged the faithful to look beyond the confines of the tomb and to see the presence of Jesus in every person and every experience. The message of Easter is one of new life and hope, a reminder that Christ is alive and with us always.
“Christ is present everywhere, he dwells among us, he hides himself and reveals himself even today in the sisters and brothers we meet along the way, in the most ordinary and unpredictable situations of our lives. He is alive and is with us always, shedding the tears of those who suffer and adding to the beauty of life through the small acts of love carried out by each of us.”
Embracing Hope
Easter faith opens the door to encountering the risen Lord and welcoming him into our lives. Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to run towards Jesus with the same zeal as Mary Magdalene and the disciples, knowing that he is always waiting to be found. This experience of encountering the living Christ fills us with hope and joy, transforming our existence and illuminating our path.
“Brothers and sisters, this is the greatest hope of our life: we can live this poor, fragile and wounded existence clinging to Christ, because he has conquered death, he conquers our darkness and he will conquer the shadows of the world, to make us live with him in joy, forever.”
Sharing the Gift of Hope
As the Easter season unfolds, Pope Francis invited the faithful to renew the gift of hope within themselves and to share it with others. The Jubilee calls us to entrust our sufferings and concerns to hope, knowing that Christ’s victory over death ensures a future of peace and liberation. With renewed hearts and minds, we can face the challenges of the world with courage and joy.
“Sisters, brothers, in the wonder of the Easter faith, carrying in our hearts every expectation of peace and liberation, we can say: with You, O Lord, everything is new. With you, everything begins again.”
As we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Christ, let us remember to seek the risen Lord in every moment of our lives, to embrace hope and renewal, and to share the gift of Easter joy with all those we encounter along our journey.
