| Vatican City (Fides Service) - Peace, a gift of the Risen Christ, Divine Mercy Sunday, the serious situation in the Holy Land and in Iraq, and an appeal for the release of all hostages, were the main contents of Pope John Paul II’s when he led the recitation of the Regina Cæli prayer on Sunday 18 April. “On the day of his Resurrection, when he appeared to his disciples the Lord greeted them in this way: "Peace be with you!", and he showed them his hands and his side with the signs of the passion. Eight days later, as we read in today’s Gospel, he returned to the Upper Room to meet them and said again: "Peace be with you!". Peace is the gift par excellence of Christ Crucified and Risen - the Holy Father said before the Marian prayer -, the fruit of his love’s victory over sin and death. Offering himself, immaculate victim of expiation on the altar of the Cross, He poured over humanity the beneficial wave of Divine Mercy. Therefore Jesus is our peace, because he is the perfect manifestation of Divine Mercy.”
Recalling that on the Sunday after Easter we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, the Pope said: “The Lord sends us to carry to all his peace founded on forgiveness and remission of sins. It is an extraordinary gift which He wished to link with the Sacrament of penance and reconciliation. How humanity needs to experience the effect of God’s mercy in these times marked by growing uncertainty and violent conflicts!”
After leading the Regina Cæli prayer John Paul II asked those present to pray for the tragic situation in the Holy Land and in Iraq, and he appealed for the release of those held hostage with these words: “I follow with great sadness the tragic news coming from the Holy Land and Iraq. May the bloodshed of brothers cease! Such inhuman acts are contrary to God’s will. I am especially close in thought and prayer to the families who fear for the safety of their loved ones, particularly those taken as hostages. I call on the captors to have humanity. I beg them to render those in their hands to their families while I pray the all merciful God for the people of the Holy Land Iraq and for all in those regions working for reconciliation and peace.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 19/4/2004 - Righe 26; Parole 385)
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