VATICAN - Pope recalls suffering nations in Easter Message: “The Christian people, having emerged from the waters of baptism, is sent out to the whole world...to bring to all people the fruit of Easter.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Christian people, having emerged from the waters of baptism, is sent out to the whole world to bear witness to this salvation, to bring to all people the fruit of Easter, which consists in a new life, freed from sin and restored to its original beauty, to its goodness and truth.” These were the words spoken by the Holy Father Benedict XVI in his Urbi et Orbi Message delivered from the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica on Sunday, April 4, Easter Sunday. The Pope highlighted that “the Church is the people of the Exodus, because she constantly lives the Paschal Mystery and disseminates its renewing power in every time and place. In our days too, humanity needs an 'exodus,' not just superficial adjustment, but a spiritual and moral conversion. It needs the salvation of the Gospel, so as to emerge from a profound crisis, one which requires deep change, beginning with consciences.”
Benedict XVI then mentioned peoples and nations of the world that suffer in different ways, asking the Lord, above all, “that in the Middle East, and especially in the land sanctified by his death and resurrection, the peoples will accomplish a true and definitive "exodus" from war and violence to peace and concord. To the Christian communities who are experiencing trials and sufferings, especially in Iraq, the Risen Lord repeats those consoling and encouraging words that he addressed to the Apostles in the Upper Room: 'Peace be with you!' (Jn 20:21)...For the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that are seeing a dangerous resurgence of crimes linked to drug trafficking, let Easter signal the victory of peaceful coexistence and respect for the common good.” Benedict XVI particularly recalled “the beloved people of Haiti, devastated by the appalling tragedy of the earthquake,” and “the beloved citizens of Chile, who have had to endure another grave catastrophe,” that they may set about the task of reconstruction with tenacity, supported by their faith and the international community.
“In the strength of the risen Jesus, may the conflicts in Africa come to an end, conflicts which continue to cause destruction and suffering, and may peace and reconciliation be attained, as guarantees of development. In particular I entrust to the Lord the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea and Nigeria,” the Pope said.
The Pontiff also recalled “Christians who suffer persecution and even death for their faith, as for example in Pakistan,” and “the countries afflicted by terrorism and by social and religious discrimination,” asking the Lord to “grant the strength to undertake the work of building dialogue and serene coexistence.” “To the leaders of nations, may Easter bring light and strength, so that economic and financial activity may finally be driven by the criteria of truth, justice and fraternal aid. May the saving power of Christ’s resurrection fill all of humanity, so that it may overcome the multiple tragic expressions of a 'culture of death' which are becoming increasingly widespread, so as to build a future of love and truth in which every human life is respected and welcomed,” he continued.
During the Easter Vigil, celebrated in the Vatican Basilica on the evening of Saturday, April 3, the Holy Father administered the Sacraments of Christian Initiation to 6 catechumens: four women - from Somalia, Sudan and Albania, a Japanese man, and a 5 year-old child from Russia.
(SL) (Agenzia Fides 7/04/2010)