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Fifty-third year, number 14 (2.641) Friday, 3 April 2020 Go d’s consoling embrace Holy Father presides at an extraordinary moment of prayer and special ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing

Something more than fear of loneliness and abandonment

ANDREA MONDA The English author C.S. Lewis, who had been recently widowed after his wife’s death from a tumour, wrote a letter to comfort his seriously ill friend Malcolm. In it, he recounts the Passion of Jesus who had been abandoned by all, flogged and unjustly condemned to death, and who felt so alone that he addressed the Father from the Cross with the words: “My God why have you forsaken me?” A very unique way to comfort. Some time earlier Jesus had been asked an anxiety ridden question on death: “Do you not care if we perish?”. It had come from the disciples who had awakened Je- sus from his sleep at the stern of the boat in the storm in the Sea of Galilee. Francis lingered on this scene narrated in the Gospel of Mark and echoed this question several times during his dis- course yesterday afternoon in Saint Pe t e r ’s Square. The Pope then prayed be- fore the icon of the Salus Populi Romani and before the crucifix of the Church of San Marcello which had been moved for the occasion and placed in the square in front of the Basilica, in the rain. The wooden face displays a grimace of suffering that seems to ask: “Do you not care if I perish?”. Jesus died alone, condemned by his people, abandoned by his friends. He died alone from the ter- rible suffering resulting, not only from his wounds, but above all from the suf- focation caused by being nailed to the cross. A crucified [person] dies from as- phyxia. Yesterday almost 1,000 people died from the coronavirus throughout Italy. They died alone from asphyxia, unable to breathe. The most dreadful as- pect of this pandemic is precisely the loneliness to which it condemns us to live and, above all, to die. All this scares every man and woman, but it mysteri- ously offers something more to Christi- ans. Christians know that Jesus contin- ues to suffer in these brothers and sis- ters, as if completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions (Colossians 1:24). At the end of his letter to Malcolm, Lewis writes: “I think it is only in a shared darkness that you and I can really meet at present; shared with one another and, what matters most, with our Master. We are not on an untrodden path. Rather, on the main-road”.

For the Pope's homily, see page 4/5 page 2 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 3 April 2020, number 14

Bishop of Jalapa. Until now he has served as parish priest of La Sagrada Familia Parish, member of the Col- lege of Consultors and vicar forane VAT I C A N (31 Mar.). cil and of the College of Consultors Bishop-elect Moscoso Miranda, ULLETIN (25 Mar.). 60, was born in San Luis Jilote- B peque, Guatemala. Before entering Bishop-elect Kuboš, 54, was born the seminary he studied accounting in Trstená, Slovakia. He was or- AUDIENCES Bishop-elect Semaan, 39, was and philosophy; once in the semin- born in Beirut, Lebanon. He holds a dained a priest on 18 June 1989. ary he studied theology. He was or- Thursday, 26 March degree in philosophy and theology; dained a priest on 3 January 1987. The Holy Father appointed Bishop a licence in canon law. He was or- Jean-Baptiste Tiama as Bishop of Archbishop Giacomo Morandi, titu- dained a priest on 24 June 2006. The Holy Father accepted the resig- Mopti, Mali. Until now he has lar of Cerveteri, Secretary of the nation of Bishop Ignacy Dec from served as Bishop of Sikasso, Mali Congregation for the Doctrine of his office as Bishop of Świdnica, Po- the Faith (27 Mar.). CHANGES IN EP I S C O PAT E land (31 Mar.). Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of The Holy Father accepted the resig- nation of Archbishop Nicolaus Adi The Holy Father appointed Bishop the Congregation for Divine Wor- The Holy Father accepted the resig- Marek Mendyk as Bishop of Świd- nation of Archbishop Antonio José Seputra, MSC, from his office as ship and the Discipline of the Sacra- nica. Until now he has served as tit- López Castillo from his office as Archbishop of Merauke, Indonesia ments ular Bishop of Rusuccuru and Aux- Archbishop of Barquisimeto, Vene- (28 Mar.). iliary Bishop of Legnica, Poland (31 H.E. Mr Mario Juan Bosco Cayota zuela (25 Mar.). Zappettini, Ambassador of Uruguay, The Holy Father appointed Fr Rami M a r. ) . A l - Ka b a l a n as titular Bishop of on a farewell visit The Holy Father accepted the resig- nation of Bishop Marcello Romano Arethusa for Syrians. Until now he Prof. Marco Impagliazzo, President from his office as Bishop of Araçuaí, has served as Apostolic Visitator for APOSTOLIC NUNCIO of the Sant’Egidio Community Brazil (25 Mar.). Syrian faithful living in Western Europe and procurator of the Patri- The Holy Father appointed Msgr Friday, 27 March The Holy Father accepted the resig- archate of Antioch for Syrians at the Luis Miguel Muñoz Cárdaba as Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turk- nation of Bishop Robert Joseph . He has taken the name of Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan and Er- son, Prefect of the for Pro- Baker from his office as Bishop of ‘Flavian’. (28 Mar.). itrea, at the same time raising him to Birmingham, USA (25 Mar.). moting Integral Human Develop- Bishop-elect Al-Kabalan, 40, was the dignity of archbishop and as- ment, and his entourage The Holy Father appointed Bishop born in Zaydal, Syria. He holds: a signing him the titular episcopal See of Nasai. Until now he has been a Fr Abbot Guillermo Léon Arboleda Steven John Raica as Bishop of degree in philosophy and theology; Birmingham. Until now he has Counsellor to the said Nunciature Tamayo, OSB, President of The a licence in theology; a doctorate in served as Bishop of Gaylord, USA (31 Mar.). Subiaco Cassinese Congregation of oriental canon law. He was ordained (25 Mar.). the Order of Saint Benedict a priest on 16 July 2005. The Holy Father appointed Fr Ján LENTEN SERMON Saturday, 28 March Kub oš as Auxiliary Bishop of the The Holy Father accepted the resig- nation of Bishop Julio Edgar Cab- Prof. Andrea Monda, Editor-in- Diocese of Spiš, Slovakia, assigning On Friday morning, 27 March, Fr rera Ovalle from his office as Bishop Chief of L’Osservatore Romano him the titular episcopal See of , OFM Cap., of Jalapa, Guatemala (30 Mar.). Quiza. Until now he has served as Preacher of the , Cardinal Marc Ouellet, PSS, Prefect parish priest and Dean in Kežm a ro k , The Holy Father appointed Fr José delivered the Third Lenten Sermon of the Congregation for Bishops member of the Presbyteral Coun- Benedicto Moscoso Miranda as in the Chapel. Prof. Paolo Papanti-Pelletier, sole judge of the Tribunal of Vatican City State Prof. Franco Anelli, Magnificent Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Calendar for Holy Week Liturgical Celebrations Hon. Mrs Virginia Raggi, Mayor of Rome, Italy presided by the Holy Father Monday, 30 March H.E. Mr Giuseppe Conte, Prime As a result of the extraordinary Cathedra, in Saint Peter’s Ba- 10 April Minister of Italy situation that has arisen, due to silica, in accordance with the Good Friday the spread of the Covid-19 pan- Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, Presid- following calendar and without Celebration of the Passion of the demic, and taking into account the participation of people: Lord, 6:00 PM ent of the Pontifical Academy for the provisions provided by the Life Via Crucis on the parvis of Saint Congregation of Divine Wor- Peter’s Basilica, 9:00 PM ship and the Discipline of the 5 April Sacraments, with a Decree Palm Sunday of the OR I E N TA L CHURCHES 11 April dated 25 March 2020, it has be- Passion of the Lord Holy Saturday come necessary to provide an The Holy Father gave his assent to update in relation to the up- Commemoration of the entry of Easter Vigil, 9:00 PM the appointment by the Synod of coming Liturgical Celebrations the Lord into Jerusalem and Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of presided over by the Holy Holy Mass at 11:00 AM 12 April Antioch for Syrians of Fr Camil Father: with regard to both the Easter Sunday of the Afram Antoine Semaan as Exarch Resurrection of the Lord Calendar and the methods of 9 April for Syrian faithful living in Jerus- participation. Holy Mass at 11:00 AM. Holy Thursday alem, Palestine and Jordan, assign- Therefore, the Holy Father At the end of Holy Mass, Pope ing him the titular see of Hierapolis will celebrate the Holy Week Holy Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Francis will impart the Urbi et for Syrians. Until now he has served rites at the Altar of the 11:00 AM Orbi blessing. as parish administrator of the same circumscription (28 Mar.).

ANDREA MONDA TIPO GRAFIA VAT I C A N A EDITRICE Subscription rates: Italy - Vatican: € 58.00; Europe: € 100.00 - US$ 148.00 £ 80.00; Latin America, Africa, L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO L’OS S E R VAT O R E ROMANO Asia: € 110.00 - US$ 160.00 - £ 88.00; Oceania, North America: € 162.00 - £ 130.00. Editor-in-Chief Management Office: phone +390669899480; fax +390669885164; e-mail [email protected]. WEEKLY EDITION IN ENGLISH For India: The weekly English Edition of L'Osservatore Romano is published and distributed in Unicuique suum Non praevalebunt Photo Service Giuseppe Fiorentino [email protected] w w w. p h o t o .v a India by Carmel International Publishing House, Cotton Hill, Trivandrum- 695 014, Kerala-India; Assistant Editor phone: +91471327253, fax: +91471328191, 329934; e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]. For North America: L’Osservatore Romano (USPS 016-419) is published fifty times per year (weekly, except third week in Advertising Agency August and last week in December) by Our Sunday Visitor, L’Osservatore Romano, English Edition, 200 Noll Plaza, Vatican City Il Sole 24 Ore S.p.A. Editorial office Huntington, IN 46750. Periodicals Postage Pending at Huntington, IN, and additional mailing offices, USA – phone: redazione.inglese.or@sp c.va System Comunicazione Pubblicitaria via del Pellegrino, 00120 Vatican City Via Monte Rosa 91, 20149 Milano 800-348-2440 x2171; fax: 866-891-7390 – e-mail: [email protected]. w w w. o s s e r v a t o re ro m a n o .v a telephone +390669899300, fax +390669883675 s e g re t e r i a d i re z i o n e s y s t e m @ i l s o l e 2 4 o re . c o m POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Sunday Visitor, 200 Noll Plaza, Huntington, IN 46750 number 14, Friday, 3 April 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 3

GENERAL AU D I E N C E

“To see God means having a personal relationship with him. This requires looking deep within our hearts and making space for him”. explained this at the General Audience on Wednesday, 1 April, as he continued his series of catecheses on the Beatitudes, focusing on the sixth Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God”. The following is a translation of the Holy Fa t h e r ’s words which he shared in Italian from the private library of the Vatican’s .

A journey of purification The Holy Father continues his series of catecheses on the Beatitudes

Dear Bothers and Sisters, change eyeglasses or vantage nounce the evil within oneself, sion: to see God means under- Good Morning, point, nor to change the theolo- which the Bible calls circumcision standing the design of Providence of the heart (cf. Dt 10:16; 30:6, Ex Today, let us read together the gical authors who teach the path: in what happens to us, to recog- 44:9; Jer 4:4). sixth Beatitude which promises we need to free the heart from its nize his presence in the Sacra- the vision of God and has purity deception. This is the only path. This inner purification implies ments, his presence in our broth- of heart as a condition. This is a decisive maturity: recognition of the part of the ers and sisters, especially the poor heart that is under the influence and the suffering, and to recog- There is a Psalm that reads: when we realize that our worst of evil — “You know Father, I feel nize God there where he mani- “my heart says to thee, ‘Thy face, enemy is often hidden within our this way, I think this way, I see fests himself (cf. Catechism of the Lord, do I seek.’ Hide not thy heart. The most noble battle is this way and this is bad”: recog- , n. 2519). face from me” (Ps 27[28]:8-9). the one against the inner decep- tion that creates our sins. Because nizing the bad part, the part that This language manifests the This Beatitude is somewhat the sins change our inner vision, they is clouded by evil — in order to fruit of the preceding ones: if we thirst for a personal relationship learn the art of always allowing change our evaluation of things. have listened to the thirst for with God, not a mechanical one, ourselves to be trained and They make us see things that are good that dwells within us and not a somewhat vague one, no: guided by the Holy Spirit. The not real or at least not that re a l . we are aware of living of mercy, a personal, which the Book of Job journey from a sick heart, from a also expresses as a sign of a sin- It is thus important to under- sinful heart, from a heart that journey of freedom begins which cere relationship. The Book of stand what purity of heart is. In cannot see things well because it lasts an entire lifetime and leads Job reads: “I had heard of thee order to do so, we should remem- is in sin, to the fullness of the us to Heaven. It is serious work, by the hearing of the ear, but ber that, for the Bible, the heart light of the heart, is the work of work that is carried out by the now my eyes see thee” (42:5). does not consist only in feelings, the Holy Spirit. He is the one Holy Spirit if we give him the And often I think that this is the but rather it is a human being’s who guides us to take this jour- room to do it, if we are open to journey of life, in our relationship most intimate place, the inner ney. Through this journey of the the action of the Holy Spirit. with God. We know God from space where people are them- heart, we can achieve “seeing This is why we can say that it is hearsay, but with our experience, selves. This is according to the Go d”. mostly the work of God in us — we go forward, forward, forward, Bible. In this beatific vision, there is an in the trials and the purifications and in the end, we come to know The Gospel of Matthew itself escatological dimension of the fu- of life — and this is the work of him directly, if we are faithful ... says “if our eye is not sound, ture, as with all Beatitudes: it is God and of the Holy Spirit who And this is the maturity of the your whole body will be full of the joy of the Kingdom of Heav- brings great joy, true and pro- Spirit. darkness” (Matt 6:23). This light en towards which we are directed. found peace. Let us not be afraid, How do we reach this intimacy, is the gaze of the heart, the per- But there is also the other dimen- let us open the doors of our heart to know God with our eyes? We spective, synthesis and to the Holy Spirit so that he may can think of the disciples at Em- the point from which purify us and lead us forward in maus, for example, who have the reality can be seen (cf. this journey towards full joy. Lord beside them but “their eyes Evangelii Gaudium, n. were kept from recognizing him” 143). SPECIAL GREETINGS (Lk 24:16). The Lord will open But what does hav- their eyes at the end of a journey ing a “p u re ” heart I greet the English-speaking that culminates with the breaking mean? A pure heart faithful joining us through the of bread and had begun with a lives in the presence of media, as we continue on our scolding: “O Foolish men, and the Lord, preserving in Lenten journey towards Easter. slow of heart to believe all that the heart what is Upon you and your families, I in- the prophets have spoken” (Lk worthy of the relation- 24:25). This is the reprimand at voke the strength and peace that ship with him. Only in the beginning. It is the root of come from our Lord Jesus Christ. this way can one pos- their blindness: their hearts were May God bless you! sess an intimate life foolish and slow. And when the Lastly, I greet young people, the unified heart is foolish and slow, things that is “ , linear sick, the elderly and newlyweds. cannot be seen. Things appear and unwinding. May the last glimpse of the Len- foggy. Herein lies the wisdom of A purified heart is, ten season that we are experien- this Beatitude: in order to con- therefore, the result of cing, foster a suitable preparation template it, we need to enter a process that implies for the celebration of Easter, lead- within ourselves and make room liberation and renunci- ing each of us to an even deeper for God because, as Saint Au- ation. Those who are closeness to Christ. I offer my gustine says, God is “more in- pure of heart are not Blessing to everyone. ward than my innermost self” born that way but (“interior intimo meo” Confessions rather they have exper- III, 6, 11). In order to see God, ienced an inner simpli- there is neither the need to fication, learning to re- number 14, Friday, 3 April 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 4/5

Go d’s consoling embrace The Pope’s words to the many ordinary people who courageously and selflessly give their lives for the good of all

On Friday, 27 March, at 6:00 PM, them away. We find ourselves that sinks first. And what does he not care about me?” It is a phrase ing that supposedly “save” us, but Pope Francis presided over an afraid and lost. Like the disciples do? In spite of the tempest, he that wounds and unleashes storms instead prove incapable of putting extraordinary moment of prayer in in the Gospel we were caught off sleeps on soundly, trusting in the in our hearts. It would have us in touch with our roots and Saint Peter’s Square, to implore for guard by an unexpected, turbulent Father; this is the only time in the shaken Jesus too. Because he, more keeping alive the memory of those an end to the pandemic and for storm. We have realized that we Gospels we see Jesus sleeping. than anyone, cares about us. In- who have gone before us. We de- “God’s consoling embrace” to reach all are on the same boat, all of us fra- When he wakes up, after calming deed, once they have called on prive ourselves of the antibodies The crucifix bathed of humanity adrift in a stormy sea, gile and disoriented, but at the the wind and the waters, he turns him, he saves his disciples from we need to confront adversity. giving “health to our bodies same time important and needed, to the disciples in a reproaching their discouragement. In this storm, the façade of in tears from heaven and comfort [to] our hearts. The all of us called to row together, voice: “Why are you afraid? Have The storm exposes our vulnerab- those stereotypes with which we following is the English text of the each of us in need of comforting you no faith?” (v. 40). ility and uncovers those false and camouflaged our egos, always wor- Holy Father’s homily. the other. On this boat… are all of Let us try to understand. In superfluous certainties around rying about our image, has fallen ANDREA TORNIELLI When evening had come” (Mk us. Just like those disciples, who what does the lack of the disciples’ which we have constructed our away, uncovering once more that spoke anxiously with one voice, It was the protagonist of the prayer 4:35). The Gospel passage we have faith consist, as contrasted with Je- daily schedules, our projects, our (blessed) common belonging, of that Pope Francis celebrated on just heard begins like this. For saying “We are perishing” (v. 38), sus’ trust? They had not stopped habits and priorities. It shows us which we cannot be deprived: our Friday evening, 27 March, in an weeks now it has been evening. so we too have realized that we believing in him; in fact, they how we have allowed to become belonging as brothers and sisters. empty Saint Peter’s Square, im- Thick darkness has gathered over cannot go on thinking of ourselves, called on him. But we see how dull and feeble the very things that “Why are you afraid? Have you no mersed in an unreal silence, a fore- our squares, our streets and our cit- but only together can we do this. they call on him: “Teacher, do you nourish, sustain and strengthen our faith?” Lord, your word this even- shadowing of Good Friday; the ies; it has taken over our lives, It is easy to recognize ourselves not care if we perish?” (v. 38). Do lives and our communities. The ing strikes us and regards us, all of Crucifix bathed by the rain that ir- filling everything with a deafening in this story. What is harder to un- you not care: they think that Jesus tempest lays bare all our prepack- us. In this world, that you love rigated the body, adding water to silence and a distressing void, that derstand is Jesus’ attitude. While is not interested in them, does not aged ideas and forgetfulness of more than we do, we have gone the blood painted on the wood, stops everything as it passes by; we his disciples are quite naturally care about them. One of the things what nourishes our people’s souls; ahead at breakneck speed, feeling which the Gospel tells us came out feel it in the air, we notice it in alarmed and desperate, he stands that hurts us and our families most all those attempts that anesthetize from the wound inflicted by the p eople’s gestures, their glances give in the stern, in the part of the boat when we hear it said is: “Do you us with ways of thinking and act- CONTINUED ON PA G E 7 sp ear. The cross of the Crucified Christ that had survived a fire and which the people of Rome used to carry on procession against the plague; that Crucified Christ that Saint John Paul II had embraced during the penitential liturgy of the Ju- bilee of the Year 2000, was the si- lent and defenceless protagonist at the centre of the empty space. Even Mary Salus Populi Romani, protected in a plexiglass case that became opaque from the rain, ap- peared to give way, as if to almost disappear, humbly, before He, raised on the Cross for the salva- tion of humanity. Pope Francis looked small and more hunched as he walked — with some effort and in solitude — up the steps to the parvis, making himself the interpreter of the world’s suffering to offer it at the foot of the Cross. “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?”. The dis- tressing crisis that we are experien- cing with the pandemic “exp oses our vulnerability and uncovers those false and superfluous certain- ties around which we have con- structed our daily schedules, our projects, our habits and priorities” and now “that we are in a stormy sea, we implore you: ‘Wake up, L o rd ! ’”. The siren of an ambulance, one of many which in these days pass through our neighbourhoods, res- cuing the newly infected, accom- panied the bells at the very mo- ment of the Urbi et Orbi Eucharist- ic Blessing when the Pope, still alone, once again faced the deser- ted square lashed by the rain, mak- ing the sign of the Cross with the Monstrance. Yet again, He was the protagonist, that Jesus who wished to make himself nourishment for us and who still today repeats to us “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?.... Do not be afraid”. page 6 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 3 April 2020, number 14

Monday, 9 March Wednesday, 11 March i n d i f f e re n c e ”; being so self-involved that we lose our identity and become adjectives. Mass for victims of coronavirus Mass especially for detainees The parable, the Pope explained, tells the story of a wealthy man who was pleased with During his homily for Mass at Santa Marta On Wednesday morning, 11 March, Pope his wealth and his life and a poor man, Laz- on Monday, 9 March, which was broadcast Francis continued his live broadcasts of Mass arus, whom he saw regularly outside his door. live to be near to those affected by the at Santa Marta by offering the celebration to To the wealthy man, it seemed natural to see coronavirus, Pope Francis focused on the Sac- detainees. “They suffer and we must be near the poor man there. The Gospel narrative rament of Reconciliation as he reflected on to them with our prayer so that the Lord says that when Lazarus died he was taken to the First Reading on the Second Monday of might console them”, he said. He began his heaven beside Abraham while the rich man Lent taken from the Book of the Prophet homily by referring to the day’s reading from was simply buried. Daniel (9:4-10) in which the prophet confesses Jeremiah and explained how the devil tempts There are two striking things about this his sins and those of his people. “When we us to reject God’s plan by placing obstacles. parable: “the fact that the rich man knew that prepare ourselves to receive the Sacrament of The devil, Pope Francis said, has two styles of this poor man existed and that his name was Reconciliation”, the Holy Father said, we have persecuting Christians. First, he tries to seduce Lazarus but did not care”; and the “g re a t to do an examination of conscience. However, with worldliness by “making them change the abyss” between the two men. Although the there is a difference between making a list of plan of redemption”, in order to “distance us rich man was informed, the Pope pointed out, sins on the intellectual level and a heartfelt re- from the cross of Christ”. And then, he tries his “heart was closed. Thus, the information cognition of sin: “to make a list of sins in the to destroy the person because “the devil’s that this man possessed could not reach his mind, to say ‘I’ve sinned’, then say them to pride is so great that he tries to destroy and heart, he did not know how to be moved”. the priest and then the priest forgives me”, he enjoys destroying through maliciousness”. This also happens to us, the Pope re- said, is like making a to do list and this “re - It is through discernment, the Holy Father marked. “Many of us, many groups of women mains in the mind. A true confession of sins explained, that we can conquer the devil. In- and men experience this detachment between must remain in the heart”, he pointed out. deed, discerning how the devil is working on what they think, what they know and what Pope Francis invited the faithful to confess us is the very way to overcome the obstacles they feel ... they are indifferent”. The Holy from the heart like Daniel did when he ex- that the devil places on our path of disciple- Father said that the expression, “globalization of indifference” came to him when he visited Lampedusa for the first time and witnessed the migrant situation there. When we worry about our personal matters, he said, we tend Morning Mass at the Domus to forget “starving children, we forget those poor people who seek freedom on the fronti- ers of countries, migrants forced to flee from Sanctae Marthae hunger and war only to find a wall ... a wall that does not let them in”. Another striking thing about this Bible pas- sage, the Pope continued, is that we are not pressed the shame involved in this process. told the name of the rich man. “The Gospel Indeed, the Holy Father said, when we realize does not tell us the name of this man. He had that we have sinned and feel this in our hearts no name. He only had adjectives of his life: we are filled with shame. “Being ashamed of rich, powerful, many adjectives”. Our egoism, our sins is a grace we need to ask”. When we he said, “causes us to lose our identity, our lose our sense of shame, he explained, we lose name”, and we fall into a culture of adjectives a sense of moral judgment and respect for where our worth is determined by what we others. On the other hand, when a sense of have and this is the result of indifference. The shame is part of the memory of our sin, “this Holy Father concluded his homily by inviting touches God’s heart” because it means that the faithful to ask the Lord for the grace of we have understood what we “have done to a not falling into a state of indifference before God who is so good, so compassionate, so human suffering, the grace to be moved to do righteous”. The Holy Father concluded his something for others. homily by asking the Lord to grant us the grace to feel ashamed for our sins. Friday, 13 March

Tuesday, 10 March Mass for Pastors The Lord changes scarlet to white On Friday morning, 13 March, Pope Fran- cis began Holy Mass at Santa Marta with a On Tuesday, 10 March, the Holy Father con- ship. When a person is persecuted, it is be- prayer for priests “who need to accompany tinued his reflection from the day before, on cause they are facing the vengeance of the the people of God during this crisis. May the the importance of recognizing and confessing devil, for it means that they have conquered Lord grant them the strength and the ability our sins with our hearts, in his homily at him. This is evident today in the lives of to choose the best ways to help”. During the Santa Marta. “Today the Lord calls all us sin- many Christians who are “cruelly persecuted”, homily, he commented on the day’s Gospel (Mt 21:33-46) which narrates the parable of ners to enter into dialogue with him because the Holy Father said, as he gave the example sin makes us withdraw into ourselves”, the the tenants, and refers to God’s care of his of Asia Bibi’s suffering during her nine-year Pope said. That is precisely what happened to people. The vineyard, the Holy Father ex- imprisonment. He concluded his homily with Adam and Eve. After sinning they hid them- plained, represents the chosen people, the ten- a prayer asking the Lord to grant us this dis- selves in shame. ants are the Doctors of the Law and the ser- The Pope then referred to the Reading cernment: “May the Lord grant us the grace vants are the prophets. Meanwhile, the hedge, from Isaiah (1:16-20) in which the Lord calls to discern the Lord’s way which is the cross, winepress and tower represent the covenant sinners to talk with him: “Come now, let us from the way of the world which is vanity, made in Sinai. In the parable the servants reason together, says the Lord: though your and appearance”. who are sent by God to receive the fruit of sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as the vineyard from the tenants are beaten and snow”. In other words, the Pope explained, killed. This parable “is a story about infidel- the Lord is telling us to approach him and Thursday, 12 March ity” to God’s call and to the covenant made, not to be afraid of speaking to him because the Pope explained. They confused the gift of he can change everything. He then gave the Mass for civil authorities the covenant for possession. example of Saint Jerome who, he said, was This change from gift to possession is the very penitent, prayed a lot and always tried to During his morning Mass at Santa Marta on result of the “sin of forgetting”. Rather than give the Lord everything he asked of him. Thursday, 12 March, the Holy Father contin- receive the gift that God made of himself, we When the Lord continued to be unhappy des- ued to pray for those affected by the begin to feel we own it. Thus, “the promise is pite all this, Jerome became angry and asked coronavirus: “for the sick, their families, for no longer a promise, the election is no longer him why he was unsatisfied with him despite parents who are home with their children, but an election ... .It becomes an ideology”, the his efforts. And the Lord said, give me your above all, I would like to ask you to pray for Holy Father explained. Because God made a sins. The Pope invited the faithful to “have the authorities” who have to make difficult gift of himself to us, this gift must be given the courage to go to the Lord with all our decisions for our wellbeing. In his homily as freely to others as it does not belong to us. At wretchedness and speak to him” in order to he commented on the parable of the rich man the end of his reflection, Pope Francis prayed avoid falling into the snare of believing we are and Lazarus, from the day’s Gospel Reading that we might be granted the grace of “re c e i v - not sinners like the Doctors of the Law in the of Luke (Lk 16:19-31) he reflected on the ing the gift as a gift and of transmitting this day’s Gospel passage from Matthew (23:1-12). temptation of falling into a “globalization of gift as a gift and not as a possession”. number 14, Friday, 3 April 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 7

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sends Message for the feast of Vesakh Constructing a Culture of Compassion and Fraternity

“Buddhists and Christians: Construct- compassion and fraternity in our traded his garments of Benares silk We believe that to guarantee the ing a Culture of Compassion and Fra- spiritual quest and in our witness for the simple robe of a monk. His continuity of our universal solidarity, ternity” is the theme of the Message and service to a wounded humanity noble gesture reminds us of Saint our shared journey requires educa- that the for Interre- and a wounded earth. Francis of Assisi: he cut his hair and tional process. To this end, a global ligious Dialogue sent to Buddhists for The Document on Human Fratern- traded his fine clothes for the simple event will take place on 15 October the feast of Vesakh/Hanamatsuri ity for World Peace and Living Togeth- robe of a mendicant because he 2020 on the theme “Reinventing the 2020. The following is the English text er states: “Authentic teachings of re- wanted to follow Jesus, who “emp- Global Compact on Education”. of the Message which was jointly signed ligions invite us to remain rooted in tied himself, taking the form of a “This meeting will rekindle our ded- by Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guix- the values of peace; to defend the slave” (Philippians 2:7) and had ication for and with young people, ot, MCCJ, President of the Dicastery, values of mutual understanding, hu- “nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew renewing our passion for a more and by Msgr Indunil J. Kodithuwakku man fraternity and harmonious co- 8:20). Their example and that of open and inclusive education, in- K., Secretary. existence”. Meeting the Supreme cluding patient listening, construct- their followers inspire us to a life of Buddhist Patriarch in Thailand last ive dialogue and better mutual un- detachment in view of what is most Dear Buddhists Friends, November, His Holiness Pope Fran- derstanding” (Pope Francis, Me s s a g e On behalf of the Pontifical Coun- cis expressed that “we can grow and important. Thus, in consequence, we for the Launch of the Global Compact cil for Interreligious Dialogue, we live together as good “neighb ors” may more freely devote ourselves to on Education, 12 September 2019). extend our heartfelt greetings and and thus be able to promote among fostering a culture of compassion We invite you to work together with good wishes to you and to all the followers of our religions the de- and fraternity for the alleviation of all to promote this initiative, indi- Buddhist communities around the velopment of new charitable pro- human and ecological suffering. vidually and within your communit- world as you celebrate the feast of jects, capable of generating and mul- Everything is related. Interde- ies, to nurture a new humanism. We Ve s a k h / H a n a m a t s u r i . For the last 24 tiplying practical initiatives on the pendence brings us back to the are also happy to see that Buddhists years, the Pontifical Council for In- path of fraternity, especially with re- theme of compassion and fraternity. and Christians are drawing on terreligious Dialogue has sent greet- gard to the poor and our much-ab- In a spirit of gratitude for your deeply held values and working to- ings to you on this happy occasion. used common home. In this way, we friendship, we humbly ask you to gether to uproot the causes of social Since this year marks the 25th an- will contribute to the formation of a accompany and support your Chris- ills in various parts of the world. niversary of this traditional message, culture of compassion, fraternity and tian friends in fostering loving kind- Let us pray for all those who are we would like to renew our bond of encounter, both here and in other ness and fraternity in the world affected by the coronavirus pandem- friendship and collaboration with parts of the world” (cf. Visiting the today. As we, Buddhists and Christi- ic and for those who are caregivers. the various traditions you represent. Supreme Buddhist Patriarch, Bangkok, ans, learn from one another how to Let us encourage our faithful to live This year, we would like to reflect 21 November 2019). become ever more mindful and com- this difficult moment with hope, with you on the theme “Buddhists The Feast of Ve s a k h / H a n a m a t s u r i passionate, may we continue to look compassion, and charity. and Christians: Constructing a Culture prompts us to recall that Prince for ways to work together to make Dear Buddhist friends, in this spir- of Compassion and Fraternity”. We are Siddhartha set out in search of wis- our interconnectedness a source of it of friendship and collaboration, we mindful of the high value our re- dom by shaving his head and re- blessing for all sentient beings and wish you once again a peaceful and spective religious traditions give to nouncing his princely status. He for the planet, our common home. joyful feast of Vesakh/Hanamatsuri.

Go d’s consoling embrace

CONTINUED FROM PA G E 4 dinary people — often forgotten to him so that he can conquer them. Embracing his cross means find- people — who do not appear in Like the disciples, we will experience ing the courage to embrace all the powerful and able to do anything. newspaper and magazine headlines that with him on board there will be hardships of the present time, Greedy for profit, we let ourselves nor on the grand catwalks of the no shipwreck. Because this is God’s abandoning for a moment our eager- get caught up in things, and lured latest show, but who without any strength: turning to the good ness for power and possessions in away by haste. We did not stop at doubt are in these very days writing everything that happens to us, even order to make room for the creativ- your reproach to us, we were not the decisive events of our time: doc- the bad things. He brings serenity ity that only the Spirit is capable of shaken awake by wars or injustice tors, nurses, supermarket employees, into our storms, because with God inspiring. It means finding the cour- across the world, nor did we listen cleaners, caregivers, providers of life never dies. age to create spaces where everyone to the cry of the poor or of our ail- transport, law and order forces, vo- can recognize that they are called, The Lord asks us and, in the ing planet. We carried on regardless, lunteers, priests, religious men and and to allow new forms of hospital- midst of our tempest, invites us to thinking we would stay healthy in a women and so very many others ity, fraternity and solidarity. By his reawaken and put into practice that world that was sick. Now that we who have understood that no one cross we have been saved in order to solidarity and hope capable of giv- are in a stormy sea, we implore you: reaches salvation by themselves. In embrace hope and let it strengthen ing strength, support and meaning “Wake up, Lord!”. the face of so much suffering, where and sustain all measures and all pos- “Why are you afraid? Have you no the authentic development of our to these hours when everything sible avenues for helping us protect faith?” Lord, you are calling to us, peoples is assessed, we experience seems to be floundering. The Lord ourselves and others. Embracing the calling us to faith. Which is not so the priestly prayer of Jesus: “That awakens so as to reawaken and re- Lord in order to embrace hope: that much believing that you exist, but they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). vive our Easter faith. We have an is the strength of faith, which frees us from fear and gives us hope. coming to you and trusting in you. How many people every day are ex- anchor: by his cross we have been This Lent your call reverberates ur- ercising patience and offering hope, saved. We have a rudder: by his “Why are you afraid? Have you no gently: “Be converted!”, “Return to taking care to sow not panic but a cross we have been redeemed. We faith”? Dear brothers and sisters, me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). shared responsibility. How many have a hope: by his cross we have from this place that tells of Peter’s You are calling on us to seize this fathers, mothers, grandparents and been healed and embraced so that rock-solid faith, I would like this time of trial as a time of choosing. It teachers are showing our children, in nothing and no one can separate us evening to entrust all of you to the is not the time of your judgement, small everyday gestures, how to face from his redeeming love. In the Lord, through the intercession of but of our judgement: a time to up to and navigate a crisis by ad- midst of isolation when we are suf- Mary, Health of the People and Star choose what matters and what justing their routines, lifting their fering from a lack of tenderness and of the stormy Sea. From this colon- passes away, a time to separate what gaze and fostering prayer. How chances to meet up, and we experi- nade that embraces Rome and the is necessary from what is not. It is a whole world, may God’s blessing many are praying, offering and in- ence the loss of so many things, let time to get our lives back on track come down upon you as a consoling terceding for the good of all. Prayer us once again listen to the proclama- with regard to you, Lord, and to embrace. Lord, may you bless the and quiet service: these are our vic- tion that saves us: he is risen and is others. We can look to so many ex- world, give health to our bodies and living by our side. The Lord asks us emplary companions for the journey, torious weapons. comfort our hearts. You ask us not who, even though fearful, have re- “Why are you afraid? Have you no from his cross to rediscover the life to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak acted by giving their lives. This is faith”? Faith begins when we realise that awaits us, to look towards those and we are fearful. But you, Lord, the force of the Spirit poured out we are in need of salvation. We are who look to us, to strengthen, recog- will not leave us at the mercy of the and fashioned in courageous and not self-sufficient; by ourselves we nize and foster the grace that lives storm. Tell us again: “Do not be generous self-denial. It is the life in founder: we need the Lord, like an- within us. Let us not quench the afraid” (Mt 28:5). And we, together the Spirit that can redeem, value cient navigators needed the stars. wavering flame (cf. Is 42:3) that nev- with Peter, “cast all our anxieties and demonstrate how our lives are Let us invite Jesus into the boats of er falters, and let us allow hope to onto you, for you care about us” (cf. woven together and sustained by or- our lives. Let us hand over our fears be rekindled. 1 Pet 5:7). page 8 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 3 April 2020, number 14

ANGELUS

At the Angelus on Sunday, 29 March, Pope Francis joined a recent appeal launched by the United Nations Secretary-General Antònio Guterrez, calling for an “immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world” to counteract the Covid-19 emergency. Earlier, the Holy Father had reflected on the day’s Gospel passage which recounts the Resurrection of Lazarus. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s reflection which he delivered in Italian from the private library of the Apostolic Palace.

Stop to all wars in the world The Pontiff joins appeal by UN Secretary-General for immediate global cease f i re

Dear Brothers and Sisters, finally meet. We see this in the those who welcome him and fol- ceasefire in all corners of the Good Morning, cry of Martha and Mary, and of low him come into contact with world”, citing the current Covid- all of us with them: “If you had life. Without Christ, or outside of The Gospel passage for this fifth 19 crisis, which does not recognise been here!”. And God’s answer is Christ, not only is life not Sunday of Lent is the resurrec- borders. An appeal for a total not a speech, no, God’s answer to present, but one falls back into c e a s e f i re . tion of Lazarus (cf. Jn 11:1-45). the problem of death is Jesus: “I death. I join those who have wel- Lazarus was Martha and Mary’s am the resurrection and the life” brother; they were good friends The resurrection of Lazarus is comed this appeal and I invite ... have faith. Amid grief, contin- also a sign of the regeneration of Jesus. When Jesus arrives in ue to have faith, even when it everyone to follow it by ceasing Bethany, Lazarus has already that occurs in the believer all forms of hostility, promoting seems that death has won. Take through Baptism, with full integ- been dead for four days. Martha away the stone from your heart! the creation of humanitarian aid runs towards the Master and says ration within the Paschal Mystery routes, openness to diplomacy, Let the Word of God restore life of Christ. Through the action and to Him: “If you had been here, where there is death. and attentiveness to those who my brother would not have power of the Holy Spirit, the are in situations of great vulner- Today, too, Jesus repeats to us: Christian is a person who jour- died!” (v. 21). Jesus replies to her: “Take away the stone”. God did a b i l i t y. “Your brother will rise again” ( v. neys in life as a new creature: a not create us for the tomb, but creature for life, who goes to- May our joint fight against the 23) and adds: “I am the resurrec- rather he created us for life, wards life. pandemic bring everyone to re- tion and the life; he who believes [which is] beautiful, good, joyful. cognize the great need to rein- in me, though he die, yet shall he May the Virgin Mary help us But “through the devil’s envy to be compassionate like her son force brotherly and sisterly bonds live” (v. 25). Jesus makes himself death entered the world” (Wis as members of a single human seen as the Lord of life, he who Jesus, who made our suffering his 2:24) says the Book of Wisdom, own. May each of us be close to family. In particular, may it in- is capable of giving life even to and Jesus Christ came to free us spire a renewed commitment to the dead. Then Mary and other those who are in difficulty, be- from its bonds. overcome rivalries among the people arrive, in tears, and so Je- coming for them a reflection of We are thus called to take away leaders of nations and the parties sus — the Gospel says — “was Go d’s love and tenderness, which the stones of all that suggests involved. Conflicts cannot be re- deeply moved in spirit and frees us from death and makes death: for example, the hypocrisy solved through war! Antagonism troubled.... Jesus wept” (vv. 33, life victorious. with which faith is lived, is death; and differences must be overcome 35). With this turmoil in his the destructive criticism of others, After the Angelus, the Holy Father through dialogue and a construct- heart, he goes to the tomb, is death; insults, slander, are continued: ive search for peace. thanks the Father who always death; the marginalization of the At this time, my thoughts turn listens to him, has the tomb poor, is death. The Lord asks us Dear brothers and sisters, the opened and cries aloud: “Laz- to remove these stones from our Secretary-General of the United especially to all those people who arus, come out!” (v. 43). And hearts, and life will then flourish Nations recently launched an ap- suffer the vulnerability of being Lazarus emerges with “his hands again around us. Christ lives, and peal for an “immediate global compelled to live in a group: rest and feet bound with bandages homes, barracks…. In particular I and his face wrapped with a would like to mention those who cloth” (v. 44). are in prison. I read an official Here we can experience first note by the Commission for Hu- hand that God is life and gives man Rights which mentions the life, yet takes on the tragedy of problem of overcrowded prisons, death. Jesus could have avoided which could become a tragedy. I the death of his friend Lazarus, ask the authorities to be sensitive but he wanted to share in our to this serious problem and to suffering for the death of people take the necessary measures to dear to us, and above all, he avoid future tragedies. wished to demonstrate God’s I wish everyone a Happy dominion over death. In this Sunday. Please, do not forget to Gospel passage we see that the pray for me; I do so for you. En- faith of man and the omnipo- joy your lunch. Ar r i v e d e rc i . tence of God, of God’s love, seek each other and finally meet. It is like a two lane street: the faith of man and the omnipotence of The Raising of Lazarus, by Duccio Go d’slove seek each other and di Buoninsegna – Kimbell Art Museum