Vatican City, Apr 11, 2004 / 22:00 pm
In his Easter message delivered “Urbi et Orbi” (to the City and the World) on Easter Sunday, Pope called on Catholics to become beacons of the Risen Christ’s hope and peace, especially in the face of terrorism an war.
“On this day of your victory over death,” the Pontiff said, “may humanity find in you, O Lord, the courage to oppose in solidarity the many evils that afflict it. In particular, may it find the strength to face the inhuman, and unfortunately growing, phenomenon of terrorism, which rejects life and brings anguish and uncertainty to the daily lives of so many hard-working and peaceful people.”
“May world leaders be confirmed and sustained in their efforts to resolve satisfactorily the continuing conflicts that cause bloodshed in certain regions of Africa, Iraq and the Holy Land,” he also said.
But the Pontiff especially remarked: “May the temptation to seek revenge give way to the courage to forgive; may the culture of life and love render vain the logic of death; may trust once more give breath to the lives of peoples.”