Vatican City: Come among us and say ‘Peace to you!’ Pope Francis says this is a time when the resurrected Christ is needed more than ever. The pope reminded us that we need the resurrected cross to believe in the victory of love and hope in reconciliation. In his message ‘Urbi et Urbi’ (for the world and the city), which is an integral part of the Easter liturgy, the Pope said this, pointing to situations where world peace is being challenged. The pope named countries facing war and civil unrest, and offered prayers to God.
Only Christ can proclaim peace to us, and he alone has the right to do so. Because He bears the wounds, our wounds. These are the wounds we inflicted on Him because of our sins, our heartache, and our brotherly murderous hatred. He did not remove them from his body, but chose to keep them and to bear them forever. They are an indelible mark of His love for us. Heavenly Father sees them as a lasting intervention to show mercy to us and to the whole world.
‘Looking at those glorious wounds, we must open our incredible eyes, open our hard hearts,’ Peace be with you! ‘ The resurrection declaration should be welcomed. May the peace of Christ enter our lives, our homes and our lands, ‘the pope urged. Subsequently, the pope prayed specifically for countries, including the conflict-torn Ukraine.
‘Peace to Ukraine, which has been severely tested, dragged into war, and devastated. In this terrible night of suffering and death, let a new dawn of hope dawn as soon as possible. Stop showing force when people are in pain. Please, let us not join the war, let us be committed to calling for peace from the streets! Governments need to hear the cries of the people for peace. ‘
He then went on to name Europe, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and the Holy Land, with the names of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar and Afghanistan. He also prayed for an end to terrorist attacks in African countries and for the Church’s reconciliation with the indigenous people of Canada.