Despite the national and international political challenges, Pope Francis has urged the faithful to rejoice and have hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.
At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Pope of the Catholic Church declared that these problems are “boulders of death.”
He specifically cited selfishness and apathy in addition to the brutality of war and hatred, which snuff out the desire for world peace.
Easter would move those stones, according to the 87-year-old.
The celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection in St. Peter’s Basilica drew about 6,000 attendees.
The pope believes that people should be inspired and given hope by Easter: “This is the power of God: the victory of life over death, the triumph of light over darkness, the rebirth of hope in the midst of the ruins of failure.”
“Sister, brother, may your heart burst into joy on this holy night!” the pontiff said in his homily.
Christians get ready to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion on the evening before Easter Sunday.
The Easter candle was carried in a procession across St. Peter’s Basilica at the start of the celebration in total darkness. This was done to represent life without faith.
After then, the priests’ and believers’ lights were lighted, starting with the Easter candle and ending with the Latin phrase “Lumen Christi,” which means “Light of Christ.”
Francis baptized eight adults during the festivities, including two South Koreans, a Japanese man, an Albanian lady, and four Italians.
The pope conducted the ritual while seated.
Francis had a rough voice as he read his sermon aloud.
Surprisingly, he had chosen to protect his health on Good Friday by choosing not to participate in the Stations of the Cross liturgy.
He will preside over the Easter Mass on Sunday and bestow the customary “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on the city and the entire world.
