Victor over death to console marginalized: Pope

Vicar of Christ gives Urbi et Orbi message at Easter

Catholics hold umbrellas to ward off the rain in St. Peter's Square April 5.
Photo credit: AFP.

Below are excerpts from the English translation of the Pope's Urbi et Orbi (to the City and to the World) message from Easter Sunday, April 5.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Jesus Christ is risen! Love has triumphed over hatred, life has conquered death, light has dispelled the darkness!

To enter into the mystery, we need to “bend down,” to abase ourselves. Only those who abase themselves understand the glorification of Jesus and are able to follow him on his way. The world proposes that we put ourselves forward at all costs, that we compete, that we prevail.

But Christians, by the grace of Christ, dead and risen, are the seeds of another humanity, in which we seek to live in service to one another, not to be arrogant, but rather respectful and ready to help. This is not weakness, but true strength! 

We ask Jesus, the Victor over death, to lighten the sufferings of our many brothers and sisters who are persecuted for his name, and of all those who suffer injustice as a result of ongoing conflicts and violence.

May constant prayer rise up from all people of goodwill for those who lost their lives – I think in particular of the young people who were killed last Thursday at Garissa University College in Kenya – for all who have been kidnapped, and for those forced to abandon their homes and their dear ones.


May the marginalized, the imprisoned, the poor and the migrants who are so often rejected, maltreated and discarded, the sick and the suffering, children, especially those who are victims of violence; all who today are in mourning, and all men and women of goodwill, hear the consoling voice of the Lord Jesus: “Peace to you!” (Lk. 24:36).

For the entire message, go to Vatican Radio.