VATICAN - The Pope’s Easter Message: “On this the day of your triumph over death may humanity find in you, O Lord, the courage to face together the many evils by which it is afflicted. In particular may it find the strength to face the inhuman and unfortunately spreading phenomenon of terrorism, which denies life and renders dark and insecure the daily life of so many hardworking and peaceful people”.

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Resurrexit, alleluia. He is Risen alleluia! Again this year the joyous news of Easter which resounded powerfully during the Easter Vigil last night, comes to strengthen our hope. In the Easter Message the Holy Father said: “On this the day of your triumph over death may humanity find in you, O Lord, the courage to face together the many evils by which it is afflicted - the Pope said -. In particular may it find the strength to face the inhuman and unfortunately spreading phenomenon of terrorism, which denies life and renders dark and insecure the daily life of so many hardworking and peaceful people”. John Paul II said he hoped that “the activity of national and international institutions may hasten the elimination of the present difficulties and permit progress towards a more ordered and peaceful world order”, and he expressed the wish that “satisfactory solutions may be found to the persisting conflicts which bloody certain parts of Africa, Iraq and the Holy Land.”
The Holy Father urged all men and women of good will to let the “temptation to revenge give way to the courage of forgiveness; may the culture of life and love render vain the logic of death; may confidence give new breath to the lives of the peoples.” Lastly the Pope prayed to the Risen Lord to “comfort the families of the many victims of violence” and to sustain all who “work unceasingly for the coming of a world of more justice and solidarity ”.
At the end of his Message, the Pope voiced Easter greetings in 62 languages and imparted his Urbi et Orbi blessing. After that he recalled that Easter falls on the same day again this year for Christianity in the east and the west: “By happy coincidence Christians of East and West celebrate Easter on the same date this year. I express the most cordial greetings to all in particular to the venerable patriarchs and Bishops and faithful of the Easter Churches. I pray to the Risen Lord that we baptised Christians may soon celebrate this fundamental feast of our faith together every year.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/4/2004 - Righe 28; Parole 406)