Pope urges world to rediscover the wonder of life as antidote to carnage of wars
At Regina Caeli on Easter Sunday for the Eastern Churches Francis prayed that the Lord would help Russia and Ukraine achieve peace. The thought of John Paul II in these days "the object of offensive and unfounded inferences." "we do not encounter the Risen One in spectacular manifestations but in the community."
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "In stark contrast to the Easter message, wars continue to sow death in gruesome ways," entoned Pope Francis this morning addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square at the end of the Regina Caeli prayer.
Remembering his brothers and sisters in the East who are celebrating Easter today, the pontiff wished them that "the Risen Lord be with you and fill you with his Holy Spirit." But Easter joy is deeply marked by the many dramatic reports of horrific massacres carried out in recent days.
"May the world," the pontiff invoked, "no longer experience dismay at the hands of man but awe at the life he gives and renews by his grace."
In particular, Francis turned his thoughts to Russia and Ukraine who celebrate this Easter still in war: "May the Lord be near and help them to make peace."
But he also recalled the news that has come in the last few hours from Africa: "I am close to the Sudanese people who are already so tried," he said, "let arms be laid down and let dialogue prevail.
However, on this Sunday dedicated to Divine Mercy by will of Pope Wojtyla , Francis also wanted to publicly express his gratitude "to the memory of St. John Paul II," these days "the object of offensive and unfounded inferences."
The reference is to some televised statements made by the brother of Emanuela Orlandi, a young Vatican citizen who disappeared into thin air in the 1980s, which have had a wide echo in Italy calling the Polish pontiff personally into question.
In his meditation before the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis had dwelt on Thomas' encounter with the Risen Jesus proposed by today's liturgy.
He said: "Thomas is not the only one who struggles to believe; in fact he represents a little of all of us. Indeed, it is not always easy to believe, especially when, as in his case, one has suffered a great disappointment."
The Pontiff further noted, "Thomas was the one who had the most courage among the disciples, because he had dared to go outside, without being locked in the Upper Room. But this very thing leads him not to be present at the first meeting with the Risen One.
"He misses the opportunity" and will only be able to recover it "by returning with the others, by going back there, to that family he left scared and sad. To believe, Thomas would want an extraordinary sign: to touch the wounds. Jesus shows them to him, but in an ordinary way, coming before everyone, in the community, not outside. As if to say to him: if you want to meet me, do not look far, stay in the community, with others; do not go away, pray with them, break bread with them."
Francis addressed the same question to the faithful: "Where do we look for the Risen One? In some special event, in some spectacular or striking religious manifestation, solely in our emotions and feelings? Or in the community, in the Church, accepting the challenge to remain there, even if it is not perfect? In spite of all its limitations and falls, which are our limitations and falls, our Mother Church is the Body of Christ; and it is there, in the Body of Christ, that the greatest signs of His love are imprinted, still and forever."
"Let us ask ourselves, however," he added, "if, in the name of this love, in the name of Jesus' wounds, we are willing to open our arms to those wounded by life, not excluding anyone from God's mercy, but welcoming everyone; each one as a brother, as a sister, as God welcomes everyone. May Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us to love the Church and make it a welcoming home for all."
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