At the conclusion of the penitential journey of Lent and after having mediated in the past days on the painful passion and dramatic death of Jesus on the cross, we celebrate on this singular night the glorious mystery of his resurrection.
Thanks to television, I can follow from my apartment the evocative Easter Vigil which is presided over by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at St. Peter’s Basilica. I send him my fraternal greetings, and I extend them to the other cardinals, archbishops and bishops who are present. With affection I also greet the priests, religious and faithful gathered around the altar of the Lord, and I am especially mindful of the catechumens who, during this holy Vigil, prepare themselves to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
This is truly an extraordinary night in which the shining light of the risen Christ definitively overcomes the power of the darkness of evil and death and ignites hope and joy in the hearts of believers.