Pope Francis gave his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” Easter message on Sunday, appearing from the central loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica overlooking the Square below where he had just presided over the Easter morning Mass.

The Mass and “Urbi et Urbi” (from the Latin: ‘To the city and the world’) message and blessing went out live on broadcasts around the world. Over one hundred thousand people filled the Square and surrounding avenues, which were navigated by the Pope in the popemobile as he greeted them following the Mass.

As usual, the flowers donated by florists from the Netherlands appeared brilliantly under the mild Spring sunshine. Close to thirty thousand flowers adorned the square and the balcony of the loggia, recalling the theme of new life, hope, and joy at Easter.

Bridge to life

In his Easter message, Pope Francis began first by announcing the joyous message of this day when we proclaim that Christ is risen.

In Jesus, the passage of humanity from death to life, sin to grace, fear to confidence and desolation to communion has been made, the Pope declared, wishing everyone a Happy Easter.

In particular, he greeted the sick, the poor, the elderly and all those suffering that they may experience the passage from affliction to consolation. He called on everyone to remember and rejoice that “the Lord has built us a bridge to life” in defeating death, making it for us “the most important and beautiful day of history.”

By Thaddeus Jones