.- After
presiding over Easter Sunday Mass yesterday at Saint Peters Square,
Pope Benedict gave his message “Urbi et Orbi”, (to the city and to the
world) from the central balcony, inviting humanity not to have fear and
to open its heart to Jesus risen, echoing the words of the angel: "Do
not be afraid! ... He is not here; he is risen (Mt 28:5-6)".
“Christ is
risen!” was the exclamation with which the Holy Father started his
Easter message to the World. “Numerous paschal candles were lit in
churches, symbolizing the light of Christ that shines on humanity,
defeating darkness , sin and evil for ever” said the Pontiff before
more than 150.000 faithful gathered on the Vatican square.
Moreover, in his
message preceding the blessing, the Pope reflected on the words of the
angel in the tomb: “He is not here, he rose again,” affirming that “the
Son of God could not be kept imprisoned in death, and the tomb couldn’t
keep the 'Living,' himself the source of all life.”
After stressing
that in the resurrection, “the Lord of Saturday fulfilled the work of
the creation, elevating Man and the entire cosmos to the glory of
freedom of the sons of God,” he added that “fulfilling this
extraordinary work, the body was filled with the vital blow of God and
rose again glorious.”
Remarking the
humanity of Christ and the novelty of his resurrection, he continued
saying “he walked through our earth, and ended his path in the tomb
like everyone, but he overcame death in a new way, through an act of
pure love, he opened the earth and opened the doors of heaven to it.”
Benedict XVI
remarked that the resurrection of Christ, “thanks to Baptism,
integrates us to Him, and becomes our resurrection. Today, the
Creator’s promise is fulfilled, even in this modern age marked by
anxiety and uncertainty, we relive the event of the Resurrection, which
changed the face of our life and changed the history of humanity."
"From the risen
Christ, all those who are still oppressed by chains of suffering and
death look for hope, sometimes even without knowing it.”
After vowing
that “the Spirit of the Risen One might bring consolation to the people
of the World, the Pontiff prayed especially that “the Risen Lord grant
that the strength of his life, peace and freedom be experienced
everywhere. Let the humanity of the third millennium not fear to open
its heart.”
“Christ is living now," he said in concluding, "he walks with us."
After this
message, the Pope gave the traditional blessing to the city of Rome,
and to the World in 63 languages. The blessing was given today on the
same day the Holy Father celebrates his 79 birthday.
Last year, on
the Sunday of the Resurrection 2005, was the last time John Paul II was
seen in public, precisely the moment he gave the “Urbi et Orbi”
blessing,” on March 27, he died a few days later, on April 2.
Benedict XVI gives 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing, calling humanity not to have fear
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May
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May 26, 2013
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John 16, 12-15
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