By Pope Francis
CNA Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 06:48 am
On Easter Sunday 2025, Pope Francis did not deliver his speech in person, though he briefly greeted the faithful with a brief “Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter”.
The pope’s traditional blessing, “Urbi et Orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, as the 88-year-old pontiff, still convalescing, was present but physically limited. Pope Francis briefly blessed the crowd after the message was read.
“Urbi et Orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions.
Here is the full text of the pope’s message:
Christ is risen, alleluia!
Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!
Today at last, the singing of the “alleluia” is heard once more in the Church, passing from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart, and this makes the people of God throughout the world shed tears of joy.
From the empty tomb in Jerusalem, we hear unexpected good news: Jesus, who was crucified, “is not here, he has risen” (Lk 24:5). Jesus is not in the tomb, he is alive!
Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness, and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge.
Embracing Hope: The Victory of Love
Evil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In times of pain and sorrow, when your silent cry seems unheard and your tears seem in vain, know that every tear has been counted and not one has been lost. In the passion and death of Jesus, God bore all the evil of this world and in His infinite mercy, He has triumphed over it. The victory of the Lamb of God is evident! Today, we can rejoice and boldly proclaim: “Christ, my hope, has risen!” (Easter Sequence).
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our hope. In the light of this event, hope is no longer a mere illusion. Thanks to Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, hope is a reality that never disappoints. That hope is not an escape from reality, but a source of strength and empowerment.
Those who place their hope in God find strength in His mighty hand, allowing themselves to be lifted up and embarking on a journey with the risen Jesus. Together, they become pilgrims of hope, bearing witness to the triumph of love and the transformative power of Life.
Christ is risen! This proclamation encapsulates the essence of our existence, as we were not created for death, but for life. Easter is a celebration of life itself! God created us for life and desires for the entire human family to rise again. In His eyes, every life holds immeasurable value, whether it be that of an unborn child, the elderly, or the sick – all are precious in His sight.
Despite the prevalent thirst for death and destruction in the conflicts that plague our world, we must hold onto hope and renew our trust in one another. Let us embrace those who are different from us, welcoming them with open hearts and minds. For we are all children of God!
Let us revive our hope for peace, especially on this day when Easter is being celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians together. May the light of peace emanate from the Holy Sepulchre, bringing solace to the Holy Land and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the suffering Christians in Palestine and Israel, as well as to the people of Gaza who continue to endure the ravages of conflict.
As we face the alarming rise of anti-Semitism worldwide, let us not forget the plight of the vulnerable and marginalized, including migrants seeking refuge. Together, let us uphold the belief that peace is attainable and work towards a world where love and compassion reign supreme.
