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Fifty-third year, number 16 (2.643) Friday, 17 April 2020 The contagion of hope

Faith in the Risen One

ANDREA TORNIELLI the virus accept this. It is cer- No! It is a gift from heaven, tainly unpleasant for those who which we could not have earned During his homily for the Easter no longer have a job and who on our own. Over these weeks, Vigil celebrated on Holy Sat- do not know how they will feed we have kept repeating, ‘All will urday night in an empty Saint their children to hear this slo- be well’”, the continued, Pe t e r ’s Basilica that was cloaked gan. Nor for those who feel the “clinging to the beauty of our in a surreal atmosphere, the huge weight of the uncertainty humanity and allowing words of Pope quoted the phrase which, for the future that awaits us and encouragement to rise up from that we know will be difficult. especially in the early weeks of our hearts. But as the days go Will all be well? by and fears grow, even the the pandemic, was used by Tonight, the Pope said, “we boldest hope can dissipate. Je- everyone, hung from windows acquire a fundamental right that sus’ hope is different. He plants and balconies and reproduced can never be taken away from in our hearts the conviction that on placards and banners: “Andrà us: the right to hope. It is a new God is able to make everything tutto bene — All will be well”. It and living hope that comes from work unto good, because even is not easy for someone who lost God. It is not mere optimism; it from the grave he brings life”. a loved one to say this. Even less is not a pat on the back or an Thus, all will not be well but so can someone who has had empty word of encouragement, For the Easter Triduum, see pages 3-7 their entire family destroyed by uttered with an empty smile. CONTINUED ON PA G E 5 page 2 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 17 April 2020, number 16

STA R T OF MISSION

VAT I C A N On 13 March, Giampiero Gloder, began his mis- The Holy Father accepted the resig- sion as Apostolic in Cuba BULLETIN nation of Bishop André De Witte with the presentation of his Letters from his office as Bishop of Ruy of Credence to H.E. Mr Miguel Barbosa, Brazil (15 Apr.). Díaz-Canel, President of the Repub- CHANGES IN EP I S C O PAT E Bishop-elect Barthélus, 49, was lic of Cuba. born in Marchand-Dessalines, Haiti. The Holy Father appointed Bishop The Holy Father appointed as Bish- He holds a degree in philosophy Estevam dos Santos Silva Filho as op of Lanusei, , Bishop Anton- and theology, and a licence in Bishop of Ruy Barbosa. Until now NECROLO GY ello Mura of Nuoro, Apostolic ad- liturgy. He was ordained a priest on he has served as Auxiliary Bishop of ministrator of Lanusei, uniting in 7 June 1998. São Salvador da Bahia, Brazil and Archbishop Stephen M. Sulyk, persona Episcopi the Dioceses of titular of Feradi maius (15 Apr.). Archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia Nuoro and Lanusei (9 Apr.). The Holy Father appointed Fr Adi- for Ukrainians, USA, at age 95 (6 The Holy Father accepted the resig- A p r. ) The Holy Father appointed Fr Arjan mir Antônio Mazali as Bishop of Er- exim, Brazil. Until now he has nation of Bishop José Luis Del Pala- Dodaj as Auxiliary Bishop of the cio y Pérez-Medel from his office as Bishop Clément-Joseph Hannouche Archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës, Al- served as parish priest of Cathedral of Cairo, Egypt, at age 70 (9 Apr.) Bishop of Callao, Peru (15 Apr.). bania, assigning him the titular epis- of Nossa Senhora Aparecida (15 Archbishop Nicholas Marcus copal See of Lestrona. Until now he A p r. ) . The Holy Father appointed as Fernando, Archbishop emeritus of has served as vicar general of Tir- Bishop-elect Mazali, 53, was born Apostolic Administrator sede vacante Colombo, Sir Lanka, at age 87 (10 anë-Durrës (9 Apr.). in Corbélia, Brazil. He holds a de- of Callao Bishop Robert Francis A p r. ) Bishop-elect Dodaj, 43, was born gree in philosophy and theology Prevost, OSA, of Chiclayo (15 Apr.). in Laç-Kurbin, Albania. He holds a with a licence in patristic theology. Bishop Camillo Ballin, M C C J, titular degree in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest on 5 The Holy Father appointed Fr Bishop of Arna, Vicar Apostolic of He was ordained a priest on 11 May December 1992. Grzegorz Suchodolski as Auxiliary Northern Arabia, Kuwait, at age 75 2003. Bishop of the Diocese of Siedlce, (12 Apr.) The Holy Father accepted the resig- Poland, assigning him the titular The Holy Father appointed Bishop nation of Bishop Arthur Joseph Ser- of Mesarfelta. Until Josep Maria Abella Batlle, C M F, as ratelli from his office as Bishop of now he has served as parish priest of Bishop of Fukuoka, Japan. Until Paterson, USA (15 Apr.). the Cathedral and of Siedlce now he has served as Auxiliary Bish- The Holy Father appointed Fr Kev- (16 Apr.). Financial op of Osaka, Japan (14 Apr.). in J. Sweeney as Bishop of Paterson. Bishop-elect Suchodolski, 56, was The Holy Father accepted the resig- Until now he has served as vicar for- born in Łuków, Poland. He holds a Information nation of Bishop Pierre-Antoine ane of Brooklyn 8 Deanery and par- degree in philosophy and theology. Paulo, OMI, from his office as Bish- ish priest of Stain Michael Parish (15 He was ordained a priest on 11 June Authority A p r. ) . op of Port-de-Paix, Haiti (14 Apr.). 1988. On Wednesday, 15 April, Cardin- The Holy Father appointed Fr Bishop-elect Sweeney, 50, was al , Secretary of Charles Peters Barthélus as Bishop born in Elmhurst, USA . He was State appointed Mr Joseph of Port-de-Paix. Until now he has awarded a bachelor’s degree at Saint FOR PROMOTING Schlitzer Director of the Finan- John’s University in Queens. He cial Information Authority, repla- served as vice-rector of the Notre- INTEGRAL HUMAN Dame d’Haïti Major Seminary (14 was ordained a priest on 28 June cing Mr Tommaso Di Ruzza, A p r. ) . 1 9 9 7. DEVELOPMENT who ended his five-year mandate last January 20. The Holy Father appointed Fr Au- gusto Zampini as adjunct Secretary Cardinal Parolin also named Dr. of the Dicastery for Promoting In- Federico Antellini Russo Vice- Congregation for the Oriental Churches tegral Human Development (8 Director of the Financial Inform- A p r. ) . ation Authority. Collection for the Holy Land postponed to 13 September

The current Covid-19 pandemic concerns many countries and in many of Institution of a new Study Commission them preventive measures preclude the normal community celebration of Holy Week. on the female diaconate The Christian communities in the Holy Land, also exposed to the risk of contagion and living in contexts already full of serious sufferings, be- The Holy Father, during a recent Me m b e rs : Professor Catherine Brown nefit every year from the generosity of the faithful from all over the audience granted to Cardinal Luis Tkacz, Lviv, Ukraine; Professor world. This solidarity enables them to continue their evangelical presence, Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, S J, P re f e c t Dominic Cerrato, Steubenville, in addition to maintaining schools and social structures that assist all cit- of the Congregation for the Doc- United States of America; Professor Don Santiago del Cura Elena, Bur- izens with healthcare, education and peaceful coexistence, attending trine of the Faith, on Wednesday, 8 gos, Spain; Professor Caroline Farey, above all to the weakest and poorest. April, has decided to institute a new Study Commission on the fe- Shrewsbury, Great Britain; Professor For this reason, has approved the proposal that the Col- Barbara Hallensleben, Fribourg, lection for the Holy Land, for the year 2020, take place on Sunday, 13 male diaconate, formed of the fol- lowing: Switzerland; Professor Don Manfred September, near the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Hauke, Lugano, Switzerland; Pro- The celebration that commemorates the discovery of the Relics of the fessor James Keating, Omaha, Cross by Saint Helen also marks a new beginning of public worship in P re s i d e n t : Cardinal Giuseppe Petroc- chi, Archbishop of L’Aquila, Italy. United States of America; Professor Jerusalem, with the construction of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Msgr. Angelo Lameri, Crema, Italy; May it be a sign of hope and salvation after the Passion to which many S e c re t a r y : Fr Denis Dupont-Fauville, Professor Rosalba Manes, Viterbo, peoples are now associated, as well as solidarity with those who continue of the Congregation for the Italy and Professor Anne-Marie Pel- to live the Gospel of Jesus in the Land where “it all began”. Doctrine of the Faith. letier, Paris, France.

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Holy Mass ‘in coena Domini’ in Saint Peter’s Basilica Holy Father prays for all priests Pope remembers pastors who have died serving the sick and those who were sland e re d

The following is the English text of bring the Gospel and who die far the extemporaneous homily that the away. A bishop told me once that Holy Father offered for the Mass of the first thing he did on arriving the Lord’s Supper, on Holy Thursday, in these mission posts was to go 9 April. to the cemetery, to the graves of priests who gave their lives there, Eucharist, service, anointing. young priests who died from local This is what we experience in diseases because they were not to day’s celebration:the Lord who prepared, they didn’t have the an- wants to remain with us in the tibodies; and no one knew their Eucharist. And we become the names: anonymous priests. Then L o rd ’s tabernacles, carrying the there are the parish priests in the Lord with us; to the point that he countryside, pastors of four, five, himself tells us: if we do not eat seven little villages in the moun- his body and drink his blood, we tains, who go from one to the oth- will not enter the kingdom of er, who know the people. One of heaven. This is a mystery, bread them once told me that he knew and wine, the Lord with us, within the name of every person in his us, inside us. villages. I asked him, “Really?” Service. This gesture is the condi- And he told me “I even know the tion to enter the kingdom of heav- dogs’ names!”. They know every- one. Priestly closeness. Good, good priests. Today I carry you in my heart In the deafening silence of an almost empty and I carry you to the altar. Also Saint Peter’s Basilica — due to the isolation priests who are slandered. This measures imposed because of the Covid-19 happens often today; they cannot pandemic — on Thursday late afternoon, 9 walk about freely because people April, the Holy Father celebrated the Mass say bad things about them, refer- “in coena Domini”, which marks the ring to the scandal from discover- beginning of the Easter Triduum. ing priests who have done bad This year also due to the pandemic, the things. Some of them have told Chrism Mass celebrated with the priests of me that they cannot go out wear- on Holy Thursday morning has been ing clerics because people insult postponed to a later date; the washing of the them. Yet they carry on. Priests feet ritual was omitted as too the traditional who are sinners, together with procession with the Blessed Sacrament at the bishops and the Pope who is also end of the Mass. a sinner, must not forget to ask It was during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper forgiveness and learn how to for- that the Holy Father expressed his closeness give because they know that they need to ask forgiveness and to for- to all the priests of the world. In his homily, the Lord wash me, help me grow, without remembering priests. give. We are all sinners. Priests he recalled the many priests who have died forgive me, then I will not enter Priests who offer their lives for the who suffer from crises, who do during these pandemic days while the kingdom of heaven. Lord, priests who are servants. In not know what to do, who live in tending to the sick in hospital, together with these days many of them have And the priesthood too. Today I darkness.... doctors and nurses. would like to be close to priests, died, more than sixty here in Italy, Today you are all with me, to all priests, from the most re- while tending to the sick in hos- brother priests, at the altar, you cently ordained right up to the pital, together with doctors and who are consecrated. I say to you Pope. We are all priests. The bish- nurses... They are “saints next just one thing: do not be stubborn ops too, all of us... we are anoin- do or”, priests who have given en. Yes, to serve... everyone. But like Peter. Let your feet be ted, anointed by the Lord; anoin- their lives in serving. the Lord, in the words he ex- washed, the Lord is your servant, ted to confect the Eucharist, changed with Peter (cf. Jn 13:6-9), I think too of those who are far he is close to you, and he gives anointed to serve. makes him realize that to enter the away. Today I received a letter you strength to wash the feet of kingdom of heaven we must let There is no Chrism Mass today from a priest, a chaplain in a pris- others. the Lord serve us, that the servant — I hope we can have it before on far away, who told me how he In this way, conscious of the of God be our servant. And this is Pentecost, otherwise it will have to was spending this Holy Week need to be washed clean, you will hard to understand. If I do not let be postponed to next year — but I with the prisoners. A Franciscan be great dispensers of forgiveness. the Lord be my servant, do not let cannot let tonight’s Mass pass by priest. Priests who travel far to Forgive! Have a big heart that is generous in forgiving. This is the measure by which we will be judged. As you have forgiven, so To the Due Palazzi parish in Padua you will be forgiven, in the same measure. Do not be afraid to for- give. Sometimes we have doubts; God speaks to us within a story look to Christ [he looks to the Cru- cifix]. There, there is forgiveness for all. Be courageous, also in tak- “I dwelt amid your words and I felt welcomed, at home”. within a story; he invites us to listen attentively and ing risks, in forgiving, in order to Broadcast on Italian radio, the Holy Father publicly mercifully. I want to thank you also because you have bring consolation. And if you can- expressed his gratitude to all the faithful of the parish of scattered your names not into a sea of anonymity, but not give sacramental pardon at the Due Palazzi Detention Centre in Padua, who helped rather into that of the many people linked to the world this moment, then at least give the prepare the meditations for the Via Crucis on Good of penitentiaries. Thus in the Via Crucis, you will lend consolation of a brother to those Friday, 10 April. The following is a translation of the your story to all those who share your same situation you accompany, leaving the door Pope’s reflection. throughout the world. It is comforting to read a story in which there are also other stories, not only of de- open for people to return. Dear friends of the Due Palazzi parish in Padua, tainees, but of all those who are passionate about the I thank God for the grace of I have read the meditations of the Via Crucis that you world of prisons. Together it is possible. Together. I the priesthood, we all give thanks. donated. I dwelt amid your words and I felt wel- embrace you. Even though I am sure that Don Marco I thank God for you, priests. Jesus comed, at home. Thank you for sharing part of your always reminds you, I ask you: pray for me. I carry loves you! He asks only that you history with me. God tells of himself and speaks to us you always in my heart. Thank you. let him wash your feet. page 4 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 17 April 2020, number 16

Homily of the Preacher of the Papal Household for Good Friday “I have plans for your welfare and not for woe”

The Holy Father presided over the celebration of the became so excited at a certain point about his you peoples! Too deep is the mystery of the pros- Passion of the Lord, which took place on the evening fresco that he stepped back to see it better and trate earth”.5 We have forgotten about building of Good Friday, 10 April, in an empty Saint Peter’s was unaware he was about to fall over the edge of walls. The virus knows no borders. In an instant Basilica. After the proclamation of the Gospel accord- the scaffolding. A horrified assistant understood it has broken down all the barriers and distinc- ing to John (18:1-19, 42), the Preacher of the Papal that crying out to him would have only hastened tions of race, nation, religion, wealth, and power. Household, delivered the homily. The following is the the disaster. Without thinking twice, he dipped a We should not revert to that prior time when this English text. brush in paint and hurled it at the middle of the moment has passed. As the Holy Father has ex- fresco. The master, appalled, sprang forward. His horted us, we should not waste this opportunity. work was damaged, but he was saved. Let us not allow so much pain, so many deaths, Fr RANIERO CA N TA L A M E S S A God does this with us sometimes: he disrupts and so much heroic engagement on the part of St. Gregory the Great said that Scripture “g ro w s our projects and our calm to save us from the health workers to have been in vain. Returning to with its readers”, cum legentibus crescit.1 It reveals abyss we don’t see. But we need to be careful not the way things were is the “re c e s s i o n ” we should meanings always new according to the questions to be deceived. God is not the one who hurled fear the most. people have in their hearts as they read it. And the brush at the sparkling fresco of our technolo- They shall beat their swords into plowshares this year we read the account of the Passion with gical society. God is our ally, not the ally of the and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation a question — rather with a cry — in our hearts that virus! He himself says in the Bible, “I have ... shall not raise the sword against another, nor is rising up over the whole earth. We need to seek plans for your welfare and not for woe” (Jer shall they train for war again (Is 2:4). the answer that the Word of God gives it. 29:11). If these scourges were punishments of This is the moment to put into practice The Gospel reading we have just listened to is God, it would not be explained why they strike something of the prophecy of Isaiah whose fulfill- the account of the objectively greatest evil com- equally good and bad, and why the poor usually ment humanity has long been waiting for. Let us mitted on earth. We can look at it from two dif- bring the worst consequences of them. Are they say “Enough!” to the tragic race toward arms. Say more sinners than others? ferent angles: either from the front or from the it with all your might, you young people, because The one who cried one day for Lazarus’ death it is above all your destiny that is at stake. Let us back, that is, either from its causes or from its ef- cries today for the scourge that has fallen on hu- devote the unlimited resources committed to fects. If we stop at the historical causes of Christ’s manity. Yes, God “suffers”, like every father and weapons to the goals that we now realize are death, we get confused and everyone will be every mother. When we will find out this one day, most necessary and urgent: health, hygiene, food, tempted to say, as Pilate did, “I am innocent of we will be ashamed of all the accusations we the fight against poverty, stewardship of creation. this man’s blood” (Mt 27:24). The cross is better made against him in life. God participates in our Let us leave to the next generation a world understood by its effects than by its causes. And pain to overcome it. “Being supremely good — poorer in goods and money, if need be, but richer what were the effects of Christ’s death? Being jus- wrote St. Augustine — God would not allow any in its humanity. tified through faith in him, being reconciled and evil in his works, unless in his omnipotence and at peace with God, and being filled with the goodness, he is able to bring forth good out of *** hope of eternal life! (see Rom 53:1-5). evil”.4 But there is one effect that the current situ- The Word of God tells us the first thing we Did God the Father possibly desire the death of should do at times like these is to cry out to God. ation can help us to grasp in particular. The his Son in order to draw good out of it? No, he cross of Christ has changed the meaning of pain He himself is the one who puts on people’s lips simply permitted human freedom to take its the words to cry out to him, at times harsh words and human suffering — of every kind of suffer- course, making it serve, however, his own purposes ing, physical and moral. It is no longer punish- of lament and almost of accusation: “Awake! Why and not those of human beings. This is also the do you sleep, O Lord? / Rise up! Do not reject ment, a curse. It was redeemed at its root when case for natural disasters like earthquakes and us forever! ... Rise up, help us! / Redeem us in the Son of God took it upon himself. What is plagues. He does not bring them about. He has your mercy” (Ps 44, 24, 27). “Teacher, do you not the surest proof that the drink someone offers given nature a kind of freedom as well, qualitat- care that we are perishing?” (Mk 4:38). you is not poisoned? It is if that person drinks ively different of course than that of human be- Does God perhaps like to be petitioned so that from the same cup before you do. This is what ings, but still a form of freedom — freedom to he can grant his benefits? Can our prayer perhaps God has done: on the cross he drank, in front of evolve according to its own laws of development. make God change his plans? No, but there are the whole world, the cup of pain down to its He did not create a world as a programmed clock things that God has decided to grant us as the dregs. This is how he showed us it is not whose least little movement could be anticipated. fruit both of his grace and of our prayer, almost poisoned, but that there is a pearl at the bottom It is what some call “chance” but the Bible calls as though sharing with his creatures the credit for of it. instead “the wisdom of God”. the benefit received.6 God is the one who And not only the pain of those who have faith, prompts us to do it: “Seek and you will find,” Je- but of every human pain. He died for all human *** sus said; “knock and the door will be opened to beings: “And when I am lifted up from the The other positive fruit of the present health you” (Mt 7:7). earth,” he said, “I will draw everyone to myself” crisis is the feeling of solidarity. When, in the When the Israelites were bitten by poisonous (Jn 12:32). Everyone, not just some! St. John Paul memory of humanity, have the people of all na- serpents in the desert, God commanded Moses II wrote from his hospital bed after his attempted tions ever felt themselves so united, so equal, so to lift up a serpent of bronze on a pole, and assassination, “To suffer means to become partic- less in conflict than at this moment of pain? Nev- whoever looked at it would not die. Jesus ap- ularly susceptible, particularly open to the work- er so much as now have we experienced the truth ing of the salvific powers of God, offered to hu- of the words of one of our great poets: “Pe a c e , CONTINUED ON PA G E 5 manity in Christ”.2 Thanks to the cross of Christ, suffering has also become in its own way a kind of “universal sacrament of salvation” for the hu- man race.

*** What light does all of this shed on the dramat- ic situation that humanity is going through now? Here too we need to look at the effects more than at the causes — not just the negative ones we hear about every day in heart-wrenching reports but also the positive ones that only a more careful ob- servation can help us grasp. The pandemic of Coronavirus has abruptly roused us from the greatest danger individuals and humanity have always been susceptible to: the delusion of omnipotence. A Jewish rabbi has written that we have the opportunity to celebrate a very special paschal exodus this year, that “f ro m the exile of consciousness”.3 It took merely the smallest and most formless element of nature, a virus, to remind us that we are mortal, that milit- ary power and technology are not sufficient to save us. As a psalm in the Bible says, “In his prime, man does not understand. / He is like the beasts — they perish” (Ps 49:21). How true that is! While he was painting frescoes in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the artist James Thornhill number 16, Friday, 17 April 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 5

Pope Francis at the Via Crucis in Saint Peter’s Square Embraced by the Cross

After carrying the Cross for the 12th and 13th Crucis. When all else seems lost and death ap- Station, the last to do so, on Good Friday, 10 pears to have the upper hand, one recognizes April, Giuseppe, who has been serving as a that God has placed a limit on darkness: nurse in Vatican City for 43 years under five three days are followed by Easter. , hands it silently to Pope Francis. Gi- Giuseppe does not feel alone on this unpre- useppe knows about human suffering and to- cedented Via Crucis because no one is ever night he is carrying the cross on behalf of all truly alone in Saint Peter’s Square, not even his colleagues wherever they may be serving, when the Square is empty like tonight, when along with the suffering of all those he the path of the Via Crucis is marked by the served. As Pope Francis receives the Cross, he flickering of small flames. As he moves immediately leans his forehead against it in around the square for the first eight stations, prayer, knowing fully well that the Cross that Giuseppe is accompanied by the meditations has been passed from hand to hand in this prepared by the chaplaincy of the Due Palazzi Via Crucis bears great suffering, fear, shame House of Detention in Padua and the other and loneliness, but also forgiveness and re- participants who share his journey: health Cross and his companions, then to the Holy demption. staff, a prison chaplain, a volunteer journalist Father who is standing on the parvis and, Watching the Pope in prayer, Giuseppe and prison representatives. The colonnade is closing his eyes, he sees the suffering people. bows his head truly understanding that his like two embracing arms that welcome every- As a nurse it comes natural to him. On this service and that of those who give everything one and tonight they appear to intertwine the Good Friday evening, the voice of many be- for others, finds its utmost meaning in the Via arms of the Cross. Giuseppe looks at the come the voice of one.

“I have plans for your welfare Faith in the Risen One

and not for woe” CONTINUED FROM PA G E 1 tude. Because “the challenge we are fa- cing is shared by all, without distinguish- CONTINUED FROM PA G E 4 we have the certainty that the Risen One ing between persons”. Because this pan- who left the sepulchre alive is the same demic calls us to be courageous and to propriated this symbol to himself when he told Nicodemus, Crucified One whose body, torn apart by say yes to life as the Pope said during the “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the lashes and killed in the most disgraceful Vigil: “Let us silence the cries of death, Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in torment, we contemplated on Good Fri- no more wars! May we stop the produc- him may have eternal life” (Jn 3:14-15). We too at this mo- day. God answered the question on the tion and trade of weapons, since we need ment have been bitten by an invisible, poisonous “serp ent.” reason for suffering and death and the bread, not guns. Let the abortion and Let us gaze upon the one who was “lifted up” for us on the suffering of the innocent, by making his killing of innocent lives end. May the cross. Let us adore him on behalf of ourselves and of the son experience it so that we would never hearts of those who have enough be open Christ, my hope, is risen! whole human race. The one who looks on him with faith be alone. “ ”— to filling the empty hands of those who Pope Francis said during his does not die. And if that person dies, it will be to enter do not have the bare necessities”. message — “This is no magic formula that eternal life. Within this context there is also room makes problems vanish. No, the resurrec- for an appeal to Europe: that in this dark “After three days I will rise”, Jesus had foretold (cf. Mt 9:31). tion of Christ is not that. Instead, it is We too, after these days that we hope will be short, shall rise the victory of love over the root of evil, a hour, rivalries may not regain force but and come out of the tombs of our homes. Not however to re- victory that does not “by-pass” suffering that all may “recognize themselves as part turn to the former life like Lazarus, but to a new life, like Jesus. and death, but passes through them, of a single family and support one anoth- A more fraternal, more human, more Christian life! opening a path in the abyss, transforming er”. Francis cautioned that the “Europ ean evil into good: this is the unique hall- Union is presently facing an epochal mark of the power of God”. challenge, on which will depend not only 1 Moralia in Job, XX, 1. But Francis’ Easter message calls us to its future but that of the whole world. 2 John Paul II, Salvifici doloris [On the Meaning of Human realism, to the responsibility that we have Let us not lose the opportunity to give Suffering], n. 23. further proof of solidarity, also by turning 3 because this “is not a time for indiffer- h t t p s : / / b l o g s . t i m e s o f i s r a e l . c o m / c o ro n a v i ru s - a - s p i r i t u a l - m e s - ence, because the whole world is suffer- to innovative solutions. The only alternat- sage-from-brooklyn (Yaakov Yitzhak Biderman). ing and needs to be united in facing the ive is the selfishness of particular interests 4 See St. Augustine, Enchiridion 11, 3; PL 40, 236. pandemic”. He invites us all to make and the temptation of a return to the 5 Giovanni Pascoli, “I due fanciulli” [“The Two Children”]. available those five loaves of bread and past, at the risk of severely damaging the 6 See St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologicae, II-IIae, q. 83, two fish that, thanks to the miracle of peaceful coexistence and development of a. 2. multiplication and sharing, fed the multi- future generations”. page 6 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 17 April 2020, number 16

At the Easter Vigil Pope Francis calls for an end to war, to the manufacture and trade of weapons and to abortion Messengers of life in a time of death

“Let us silence the cries of death, no more wars! May we stop the production and trade of weapons, since we need bread, not guns. Let the abortion and killing of innocent lives end”. The Holy Father emphasized this to the many faithful linked via television or on social media on Saturday evening, 11 April, from the Altar of the Chair, in Saint Peter’s Basilica, as he presided at the Easter Vigil celebration. The following is the English text of the Pope’s Homily.

“After the Sabbath” (Mt 28:1), the from heaven, which we could not women went to the tomb. This is have earned on our own. Over these how the Gospel of this holy Vigil weeks, we have kept repeating, “All began: with the Sabbath. It is the will be well”, clinging to the beauty day of the Easter Triduum that we of our humanity and allowing words tend to neglect as we eagerly await of encouragement to rise up from the passage from Friday’s cross to our hearts. But as the days go by Easter Sunday’s Alleluia. This year and fears grow, even the boldest however, we are experiencing, more hope can dissipate. Jesus’ hope is than ever, the great silence of Holy different. He plants in our hearts the Saturday. We can imagine ourselves conviction that God is able to make in the position of the women on everything work unto good, because that day. They, like us, had before even from the grave he brings life. their eyes the drama of suffering, of The grave is the place where no an unexpected tragedy that one who enters ever leaves. But Je- happened all too suddenly. They sus emerged for us; he rose for us, had seen death and it weighed on to bring life where there was death, their hearts. Pain was mixed with to begin a new story in the very fear: would they suffer the same fate place where a stone had been as the Master? Then too there was placed. He, who rolled away the fear about the future and all that stone that sealed the entrance of the would need to be rebuilt. A painful tomb, can also remove the stones in memory, a hope cut short. For them, our hearts. So, let us not give in to as for us, it was the darkest hour. resignation; let us not place a stone Yet in this situation the women before hope. We can and must did not allow themselves to be para- hope, because God is faithful. He lyzed. They did not give in to the did not abandon us; he visited us gloom of sorrow and regret, they did and entered into our situations of not morosely close in on themselves, pain, anguish and death. His light or flee from reality. They were doing dispelled the darkness of the tomb: something simple yet extraordinary: today he wants that light to penet- preparing at home the spices to rate even to the darkest corners of anoint the body of Jesus. They did our lives. Dear sister, dear brother, not stop loving; in the darkness of even if in your heart you have bur- their hearts, they lit a flame of ied hope, do not give up: God is mercy. Our Lady spent that Sat- greater. Darkness and death do not urday, the day that would be dedic- have the last word. Be strong, for ated to her, in prayer and hope. She with God nothing is lost! responded to sorrow with trust in C o u ra g e . This is a word often my brethren to go to Galilee” (Mt there. What does this tell us? That the Lord. Unbeknownst to these wo- spoken by Jesus in the Gospels. 28:10), Jesus says. “He is going be- the message of hope should not be men, they were making preparations, Only once do others say it, to en- fore you to Galilee” (v. 7), the angel confined to our sacred places, but in the darkness of that Sabbath, for courage a person in need: “Courage; says. The Lord goes before us; he should be brought to everyone. For “the dawn of the first day of the rise, [Jesus] is calling you!” (Mk goes before us always. It is encour- everyone is in need of reassurance, week”, the day that would change 10:49). It is he, the Risen One, who aging to know that he walks ahead and if we, who have touched “the Jn history. Jesus, like a seed buried in raises us up from our neediness. If, of us in life and in death; he goes Word of life” (1 1:1) do not give before us to Galilee, that is, to the it, who will? How beautiful it is to the ground, was about to make new on your journey, you feel weak and place which for him and his dis- be Christians who offer consolation, life blossom in the world; and these frail, or fall, do not be afraid, God ciples evoked the idea of daily life, who bear the burdens of others and women, by prayer and love, were holds out a helping hand and says family and work. Jesus wants us to who offer encouragement: messen- helping to make that hope flower. to you: “Courage!”. You might say, bring hope there, to our everyday gers of life in a time of death! In How many people, in these sad as did Don Abbondio (in Manzoni’s life. For the disciples, Galilee was every Galilee, in every area of the days, have done and are still doing novel), “Courage is not something what those women did, sowing seeds also the place of remembrance, for it human family to which we all be- you can give yourself” (I Promessi was the place where they were first long and which is part of us — for of hope! With small gestures of care, Sposi, XXV). True, you cannot give it affection and prayer. called. Returning to Galilee means we are all brothers and sisters may to yourself, but you can receive it as remembering that we have been we bring the song of life! Let us si- At dawn the women went to the a gift. All you have to do is open loved and called by God. Each one lence the cries of death, no more tomb. There the angel says to them: your heart in prayer and roll away, of us has their own Galilee. We wars! May we stop the production “Do not be afraid. He is not here; however slightly, that stone placed at need to resume the journey, remind- and trade of weapons, since we need for he has risen” (vv. 5-6). They hear the entrance to your heart so that ing ourselves that we are born and bread, not guns. Let the abortion the words of life even as they stand Jesus’ light can enter. You only need reborn thanks to an invitation given and killing of innocent lives end. before a tomb... And then they meet to ask him: “Jesus, come to me amid gratuitously to us out of love, there May the hearts of those who have Jesus, the giver of all hope, who my fears and tell me too: Courage!” in our respective Galilees. This is al- enough be open to filling the empty confirms the message and says: “Do With you, Lord, we will be tested ways the point from which we can hands of those who do not have the not be afraid” (v. 10). Do not be but not shaken. And, whatever sad- set out anew, especially in times of bare necessities. a f ra i d do not yield to fear , : This is the ness may dwell in us, we will be crisis and trial, remembering our Those women, in the end, “to ok message of hope. It is addressed to us, strengthened in hope, since with you Galilee. hold” of Jesus’ feet (Mt 28:9); feet today. These are the words that God the cross leads to the resurrection, But there is more. Galilee was the that had travelled so far to meet us, repeats to us this very night. because you are with us in the dark- farthest region from where they to the point of entering and emer- Tonight we acquire a fundamental ness of our nights; you are certainty were: from Jerusalem. And not only ging from the tomb. The women right that can never be taken away amid our uncertainties, the word geographically. Galilee was also the embraced the feet that had trampled from us: the right to hope.Itis anew that speaks in our silence, and noth- farthest place from the sacredness of death and opened the way of hope. and living hope that comes from ing can ever rob us of the love you the Holy City. It was an area where Today, as pilgrims in search of hope, God. It is not mere optimism; it is have for us. people of different religions lived: it we cling to you, Risen Jesus. We not a pat on the back or an empty This is the Easter message, a mes- was the “Galilee of the Gentiles” turn our backs on death and open word of encouragement, uttered sage of hope. It contains a second (Mt 4:15). Jesus sends them there our hearts to you, for you are Life with an empty smile. No! It is a gift part, the sending forth. “Go and tell and asks them to start again from itself. number 16, Friday, 17 April 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 7

Holy Father’s ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Easter Message The contagion of hope

On Easter Sunday morning, 12 April, you still!” (cf. Roman Missal, En- the Holy Father delivered his Urbi et trance Antiphon, Mass of Easter Orbi Blessing from the Altar of Sunday). Confession in Saint Peter’s Basilica. May Jesus, our Passover, grant During his Message, which was strength and hope to doctors and broadcast live, the Pope’s thoughts nurses, who everywhere offer a wit- turned to the many, who are ness of care and love for our neigh- experiencing an “Easter of solitude, lived bours, to the point of exhaustion amid the sorrow and hardship that the and not infrequently at the expense do not lack basic necessities (all the ity to give further proof of solidarity, pandemic is causing”. The following is of their own health. Our gratitude more difficult to find now that many also by turning to innovative solu- the English text of the Pope’s message. and affection go to them, to all who businesses are closed) such as medi- tions. The only alternative is the work diligently to guarantee the es- cine and especially the possibility of selfishness of particular interests and Dear brothers and sisters, sential services necessary for civil so- adequate health care. In light of the the temptation of a return to the Happy Easter! ciety, and to the law enforcement present circumstances, may interna- past, at the risk of severely dam- tional sanctions be relaxed, since aging the peaceful coexistence and Today the Church’s proclamation and military personnel who in many these make it difficult for countries development of future generations. echoes throughout the world: “Jesus countries have helped ease people’s on which they have been imposed to Christ is risen!” — “He is truly ris- difficulties and sufferings. This is not a time for division. provide adequate support to their en!”. In these weeks, the lives of mil- May Christ our peace enlighten all lions of people have suddenly citizens, and may all nations be put who have responsibility in conflicts, Like a new flame this Good News in a position to meet the greatest that they may have the courage to springs up in the night: the night of changed. For many, remaining at home has been an opportunity to re- needs of the moment through the re- support the appeal for an immediate a world already faced with epochal duction, if not the forgiveness, of global ceasefire in all corners of the challenges and now oppressed by a flect, to withdraw from the frenetic pace of life, stay with loved ones the debt burdening the balance world. This is not a time for con- pandemic severely testing our whole sheets of the poorest nations. tinuing to manufacture and deal in human family. In this night, the and enjoy their company. For many, This is not a time for self-centred- arms, spending vast amounts of C h u rc h ’s voice rings out: “Christ, though, this is also a time of worry about an uncertain future, about ness, because the challenge we are money that ought to be used to care my hope, has arisen!” (Easter Se- for others and save lives. Rather, quence). jobs that are at risk and about other facing is shared by all, without dis- consequences of the current crisis. I tinguishing between persons. may this be a time for finally ending This is a different “contagion”, a encourage political leaders to work Among the many areas of the world the long war that has caused such message transmitted from heart to actively for the common good, to affected by the coronavirus, I think great bloodshed in beloved Syria, heart — for every human heart awaits provide the means and resources in a special way of Europe. After the the conflict in Yemen and the hostil- this Good News. It is the contagion needed to enable everyone to lead a Second World War, this beloved ities in Iraq and in Lebanon. May of hope: “Christ, my hope, is risen!”. dignified life and, when circum- continent was able to rise again, this be the time when Israelis and This is no magic formula that makes stances allow, to assist them in re- thanks to a concrete spirit of solidar- Palestinians resume dialogue in or- problems vanish. No, the resurrection suming their normal daily activities. ity that enabled it to overcome the der to find a stable and lasting solu- of Christ is not that. Instead, it is the rivalries of the past. It is more ur- tion that will allow both to live in victory of love over the root of evil, a This is not a time for indifference, peace. May the sufferings of the because the whole world is suffering gent than ever, especially in the victory that does not “by-pass” suf- present circumstances, that these people who live in the eastern re- fering and death, but passes through and needs to be united in facing the gions of Ukraine come to an end. pandemic. May the risen Jesus grant rivalries do not regain force, but that them, opening a path in the abyss, May the terrorist attacks carried out hope to all the poor, to those living all recognize themselves as part of a transforming evil into good: this is against so many innocent people in on the peripheries, to refugees and single family and support one an- the unique hallmark of the power of different African countries come to the homeless. May these, the most other. The European Union is Go d. an end. vulnerable of our brothers and sis- presently facing an epochal chal- The Risen Lord is also the Cruci- ters living in the cities and peripher- lenge, on which will depend not This is not a time for forgetful- fied One, not someone else. In his ies of every part of the world, not be only its future but that of the whole ness. The crisis we are facing should glorious body he bears indelible abandoned. Let us ensure that they world. Let us not lose the opportun- not make us forget the many other wounds: wounds that have become crises that bring suffering to so windows of hope. Let us turn our many people. May the Lord of life gaze to him that he may heal the be close to all those in Asia and wounds of an afflicted humanity. Africa who are experiencing grave Today my thoughts turn in the Regina Caeli on the Monday of the Angel humanitarian crises, as in the first place to the many who have Province of Cabo Delgado in the been directly affected by the north of Mozambique. May he coronavirus: the sick, those who The courage of women warm the hearts of the many have died and family members who refugees displaced because of wars, mourn the loss of their loved ones, After reciting the Regina Caeli on 13 April, Monday of the Angel, from the drought and famine. May he grant to whom, in some cases, they were Library of the Vatican , the Holy Father reflected on the protection to migrants and refugees, unable even to bid a final farewell. contribution women are making today during the coronavirus pandemic. many of them children, who are liv- May the Lord of life welcome the Earlier, the Holy Father had commented on the day’s Gospel reading of ing in unbearable conditions, espe- departed into his kingdom and Matthew (28:8-15), which recounts the fearful women who met Jesus as cially in Libya and on the border grant comfort and hope to those still they were running away from his empty tomb. The following is a translation between Greece and Turkey. And I suffering, especially the elderly and of the Pope’s reflection, which he offered in Italian. do not want to forget the island of those who are alone. May he never Lesvos. In Venezuela, may he enable concrete and immediate solutions to withdraw his consolation and help Today, Easter Monday of the An- which they had found empty. But from those who are especially vul- be reached that can permit interna- gel, the joyous proclamation of Jesus himself appears to them on tional assistance to a population suf- nerable, such as persons who work Christ’s Resurrection resounds. the way, saying: “Do not be in nursing homes, or live in barracks fering from the grave political, so- The Gospel passage (cf. Mt 28:8- afraid; go and tell my brethren to and prisons. For many, this is an cio-economic and health situation. 15) narrates that the frightened go to Galilee, and there they will Easter of solitude lived amid the Dear brothers and sisters, women, quickly left Jesus’ tomb see me” (v. 10). With these words, sorrow and hardship that the pan- Indifference, self-centredness, divi- demic is causing, from physical suf- the Risen One entrusts the wo- sion and forgetfulness are not words fering to economic difficulties. men with a missionary mandate we want to hear at this time. We for the Apostles. Indeed, they This disease has not only deprived want to ban these words for ever! us of human closeness, but also of offered an admirable example of They seem to prevail when fear and the possibility of receiving in person faithfulness, of dedication, and of death overwhelm us, that is, when the consolation that flows from the love for Christ throughout the we do not let the Lord Jesus tri- sacraments, particularly the Euchar- time of his public life, as well as umph in our hearts and lives. May ist and Reconciliation. In many during his passion. Now they are Christ, who has already defeated countries, it has not been possible to rewarded by him with this gesture death and opened for us the way to approach them, but the Lord has of attention and predilection. The eternal salvation, dispel the darkness not left us alone! United in our women always at the beginning: of our suffering humanity and lead prayer, we are convinced that he has Mary at the beginning, women at us into the light of his glorious day, laid his hand upon us (cf. Ps 138:5), the beginning. a day that knows no end. firmly reassuring us: Do not be With these thoughts, I would like afraid, “I have risen and I am with CONTINUED ON PA G E 8 to wish all of you a happy Easter. page 8 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 17 April 2020, number 16

At the General Audience the Holy Father resumes his series of catecheses on the Beatitudes Peace should be sought at any cost

“Love is always creative” and it “seeks reconciliation I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to at any cost”, Pope Francis said during the General you” (Jn 14:27), he means his peace which is dif- Audience on Wednesday morning, 15 April, as he ferent from the human kind, the one of the continued his series of catecheses on the Beatitudes world. Jesus’ peace is different from the worldly and reflected on the seventh Beatitude: “Blessed are one. the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God” Let us ask ourselves: how does the world give (Mt 5:9). The following is a translation of the Holy peace? If we think of armed conflicts, wars nor- Fa t h e r ’s words which he delivered in Italian from the mally end in two ways: either with the defeat of library of the Apostolic Palace. one of the two sides, or with a peace treaty. We cannot but hope and pray that this second path Dear Brothers and Sisters, will always be taken. However, we have to con- Good morning, sider that history is an infinite series of peace To day’s catechesis is dedicated to the seventh treaties contradicted by successive wars or by the Beatitude, the one on the “p eacemakers”who are metamorphosis of these same wars into other proclaimed children of God. I am pleased that it ways or into other places. falls immediately after Easter because Christ’s In our time too, war is being fought “piece- peace is the fruit of his death and resurrection as meal” in various scenarios and with different we heard in the Reading of Saint Paul. In order methods (cf. Homily at the Military Memorial in to understand this Beatitude, we have to explain Redipuglia, 13 September 2014; Homily in Sarajevo, the meaning of the word “peace” which can be 6 June 2015; Address to the for misinterpreted, or at times trivialized. Legislative Texts, 21 February 2020). We have to a We must look at two ideas of peace: the first is least suspect that within the framework of a glob- the Biblical one, in which the beautiful word sha- alization that is carried out above all for econom- lòm appears, which expresses abundance, flourish- ic or financial interests, the “p eace”of some cor- of the grace received from Christ who is our peace and who has made us Children of God. ing, wellbeing. In Hebrew, when one says shalòm, responds to the “war” of others. And this is not one is wishing a beautiful, fulfilled and prosper- Christ’s peace. May the true shalòm and the true interior bal- ous life, but also in terms of truth and justice that Instead, how does the Lord Jesus “give” his ance spring forth from Christ’s peace which will find fulfillment in the Messiah, the Prince of comes from the Cross and generates a new hu- Peace (cf. Is 9:6; Mic 5:4-5). peace? We have heard Saint Paul say that Christ’s peace is “making one out of two” (cf. Eph 2:14), manity, embodied by an infinite multitude of in- There is also another more widespread meaning erasing hostility and reconciling. And the path to ventive, creative Saints who have designed ever in which the word “p eace”is understood as a sort carry out this work of peace is his body. Indeed new paths to love; Saints who build peace. This of interior serenity; I am calm, I am at peace. he reconciles all things and bestows peace with life, as children of God who for Christ’s blood, This is a modern, psychological and more sub- seek and find their brothers and sisters, is true jective idea. We generally think that peace is still- the blood of his cross as the same Apostle says elsewhere (cf. Col 1:20). happiness. Blessed are those who follow this path. ness, harmony, inner balance. This accepted And once again, I wish you all a Happy Easter, And here, I ask myself, we can all ask meaning of the word “p eace”is incomplete and in the peace of Christ. cannot be made absolute because anxiety can be ourselves: who then are the “p eacemakers?”. The an important time of growth. seventh Beatitude is the most active one, expli- The Lord himself often sows anxiety in us so citly operative; the verbal expression is similar to SPECIAL GREETINGS that we may go towards him, to find him. In this the one used in the first verse of the Bible for the sense, it is an important moment of growth. Creation, and it indicates initiative and industri- I greet the English-speaking faithful joining us Meanwhile, it can happen that inner tranquility ousness. Love by its nature is creative — love is al- through the media. In the joy of the Risen Christ, corresponds to a trained conscience and not to ways creative — and seeks reconciliation at any I invoke upon you and your families the loving true spiritual redemption. The Lord often has to cost. mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless be “a sign of contradiction (cf. Lk 2:34-35), shak- Those who have learned the art of peace and you! ing our false securities in order to bring us to sal- exercise it are called the children of God. They Lastly, I greet young people, the sick, the eld- vation. And in that moment, it seems we have no know that there can be no reconciliation without erly and newlyweds. My dearest ones, I urge you peace but it is the Lord who puts us on this path giving one’s own life and that peace should al- to look constantly to Jesus who defeated death so that we may attain the peace that he himself ways be sought everywhere. Always and every- and who helps us to welcome life’s suffering and will give to us. where: Do not forget this! It should be sought trials as a precious opportunity for redemption At this point we have to remember that when this way. It is not an autonomous work that is the and salvation. May the Lord bless you and may the Lord says: “Peace, I leave with you; my peace fruit of one’s own abilities. It is the manifestation the Virgin Mary protect you!

CONTINUED FROM PA G E 7 The courage of women risk of enduring violence due to a living situation in which they bear a First, the women, then the dis- message of hope for everyone. Jesus’ strongly in this mystery of salvation: burden that is too heavy. Let us pray ciples, and Peter in particular, bear Resurrection tells us that death does when it is welcomed with faith, it for them, so that the Lord may witness to the reality of the resurrec- not have the last word, but rather can change our lives. This is the grant them strength, and our com- tion. Jesus had foretold to them a life does. In raising his Only-begot- Easter wish that I renew to each of munities may support them together number of times that, after his pas- ten Son, God the Father has fully you. I entrust it to her, our Mother, with their families. May the Lord sion and cross, he would rise again. manifested his love and his mercy whom we now invoke with the pray- give us the courage of women, to al- But the disciples had not under- for humanity of all time. er, the Regina Caeli. ways go forward. stood because they were not yet If Christ has risen, it is possible This Easter week I would like to ready. Their faith needed a leap in After praying the Regina Caeli the to look with hope at every event of remember with closeness and affec- quality that could only be inspired Holy Father continued: our existence, even the most difficult tion all the countries that are being by the Holy Spirit, the gift of the ones, those charged with anguish Dear brothers and sisters, we have seriously affected by the coronavirus, Risen One. and uncertainty. This is the Easter heard that women proclaimed Jesus’ some of them with large numbers of message that we are called to pro- At the beginning of the Book of Resurrection to the disciples. Today people infected and deceased, in claim with words, and above all the Acts of the Apostles, we hear I would like to call to mind the ef- particular Italy, the United States of through the witness of life. May this Peter declare with frankness, courage forts that so many women are mak- America, Spain, France … the list is news resound in our homes and in and candour: “This Jesus God ing in order to take care of others, long. I pray for them. And do not raised up, and of that we all are wit- our hearts: “Christ, my hope, has even during this health crisis: wo- arisen!” (Easter Sequence). May this forget that the Pope prays for you nesses” (Acts 2:32). As if to say: “I men doctors, nurses, agents of law and is close to you. put myself on the line for him. I certainty strengthen the faith of enforcement and prisons, employees give my life for him”: And later, he every baptised person and above all, in stores providing basic necessit- I renew my heartfelt Easter greet- would give his life for him. From encourage those who are facing ies…, and many mothers and sisters ings to everyone. Let us remain that moment on, the proclamation greater suffering and difficulty. and grandmothers who are confined united in prayer and in the commit- that Christ is risen has spread every- May Mary, the silent witness of to their homes with their entire fam- ment to help each other as brothers where and has reached the four the death and resurrection of her ily, with children, the elderly, and and sisters. corners of the earth, becoming the son, Jesus, help us to believe the disabled. At times, they are at Enjoy your lunch. Ar r i v e d e rc i !