Minutes after happy chaos erupted in St. Peter’s Square following the movement of Francis’ Pope Mobile through the Easter masses, a hush fell over the crowd. The adorable, unassuming man who rode around smiling and waving moments before emerged from the curtains flanking the iconic balcony on the front of St. Peter’s Basilica, and a respectful silence settled millions of faithful into anticipation-saturated silence. Even the group of teenagers next to us dismounted the chairs where they had been standing, dancing, and cheering. Pilgrims from all over the world wanted to hear what this man, overflowing with grace and contagious energy, had to say in this traditional Easter address and blessing.
That is, all of us looked
forward to reading what he had said in Italian once we got home later that day,
and some of us could understand what he was saying in the moment. Thankfully,
my limited experience studying Spanish helped me to grasp glimpses into his
message: at the time, I realized he talked a lot about national politics, care
for the poor, and mercy. I also heard him implore us to pray for him just
before he disappeared behind the curtain after his address and blessing.
In a time of great
worldwide need, political uncertainty, and social inequality, it is imperative
that we listen to the words of this wise man, world leader, and role model.
Here are ten lessons from Pope Francis’ 2016 Urbi et Orbi Address:
1.
Easter is joyful.
Easter is glorious. Easter is a day of celebration!
2.
Jesus is the
incarnation of God’s mercy.
3.
Christ’s
resurrection fulfills the prophecy of Psalm 135: “O give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.” His mercy never dies.
4.
Only God can
fill the spiritual and moral abysses of mankind, “prevent us from falling into
them and help us to continue our journey together towards the land of freedom
and life.”
5.
The risen
Christ “points out paths of hope” to areas of our world that are war-torn and troubled
by social and political conflict through the message of life proclaimed by the
Angel beside the overturned stone at the empty tomb of Christ.
6.
It is
important to pray for “patience, openness, and daily commitment to laying the
foundations of a just and lasting peace through direct and sincere
negotiations” between Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land and between
people facing conflict all over the world.
7.
The Lord
Jesus, our peace, draws us closer to the victims of terrorism around the world.
8.
“With the
weapons of love, God has defeated selfishness and death.”
9.
Jesus is the
true door of mercy, “wide open to all.”
10. The Easter
message, “a message of life for all humanity,” invites all to remember men and
women seeking a better future, particularly migrants and refugees.
Pope Francis brought up many difficult topics
during his 2016 Urbi et Orbi Address.
He mentioned, blessed, and prayed for the most vulnerable people and areas in
the world. He did not try to hide the violence and conflict our world faces,
but rather named many of these communities and showed that even given violence,
terrorism, death, and fear, we hope. We
must hold the glorious Easter message alongside the fact that we live in a
broken world, and cling to the hope of the Resurrection as we seek renewal and
reconciliation:
“To
all I once more address the words of the Risen One: ‘See, I am making all things new…To the thirsty I will give water as a
gift from the spring of the water of life’ (Rev 21:5-6). May this
comforting message of Jesus help each of us to set out anew with greater
courage and hope, to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our
brothers and sisters. How much we need this!”
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| Pope Francis waving from the balcony on the front of St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday |
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