"Death is always lurking. We see it present in injustice, in partisan selfishness, in the oppression of the poor, in the lack of attention to the most vulnerable. We see it in violence, in the wounds of the world, in the cry of pain that rises from every side for the abuses that crush the weakest, for the idolatry of profit that plunders the earth's resources, for the violence of war that kills and destroys." These are the words of Pope Leo in his Easter homily, his first since his election. "The Lord is alive and remains with us. Through cracks of resurrection that open up in the darkness, he entrusts our hearts to hope."

"The power of death always threatens us, inside and out," the Pontiff added, addressing the crowded square . "Within us, when the burden of our sins prevents us from taking flight; when the disappointments or loneliness we experience sap our hopes; when worries or resentments stifle the joy of living; when we experience sadness or weariness, when we feel betrayed or rejected, when we have to deal with our weakness, with suffering, with the toil of every day, then we feel as if we have ended up in a tunnel from which we cannot see the exit."

Finally, the invitation to hope: "It is true that often it seems as if God does not exist: we see injustice, wickedness, indifference, and cruelty that never diminish. However, it is equally certain that in the midst of darkness something new always begins to blossom, which sooner or later bears fruit," because Easter "gives us this hope, reminding us that in the risen Christ, a new creation is possible every day ." Easter is "a new beginning, it is life finally made eternal by God's victory over the ancient Adversary. We need this song of hope," Pope Leo concluded.

"Let those who carry weapons lay them down!"—the Pope's appeal to the world's leaders in his Urbi et Orbi blessing. "Let those who have the power to unleash war choose peace! Not a peace pursued by force, but by dialogue! Not by the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!" Finally, he announced a vigil for peace: "The peace that Jesus gives us is not one that simply silences weapons, but one that touches and changes the hearts of each of us! I invite everyone to join me in the prayer vigil for peace that we will celebrate here in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, April 11. "

(Unioneonline)

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