There is no fake news that can obscure the announcement of Jesus’ resurrection.
«Christ is risen! Happy Easter! » says Pope Leo looking out of the study window of the apostolic palace. «This greeting, full of amazement and joy, will accompany us all week. Celebrating the new day that the Lord has made for us, the liturgy celebrates the entry of the entire creation into the time of salvation: the despair of death is taken away forever, in the name of Jesus.”
But, adds the Pontiff, in the Gospel of Matthew there are two stories: that of the women “who met the Risen One” and “that of the guards, who were corrupted by the leaders of the Sanhedrin”. And while «the first announce Christ’s victory over death; the latter announce that death always wins. In their version, in fact, Jesus was not resurrected, but his corpse was stolen. From the same fact, the empty tomb, two interpretations arise: one is a source of new and eternal life, the other of certain and definitive death.”
A contrast that makes us reflect «on the value of Christian testimony and the honesty of human communication. Often, in fact, the telling of the truth is obscured by fake news, as they say today, that is, by lies, allusions and baseless accusations. In the face of such obstacles, however, the truth does not remain hidden, on the contrary: it comes towards us, alive and radiant, illuminating the thickest darkness.” To us too today, as to the women who reached the tomb, Jesus says: «Do not be afraid! Go and announce.” He himself “thus becomes the good news to be witnessed in the world: the Lord’s Easter is our Easter, the Easter of humanity, because this man, who died for us, is the Son of God, who gave his life for us. Like the Risen One, always alive and present, frees the past from a destructive end, so the Easter announcement redeems our future from the tomb.”
It is “important” explains Pope Leo «may this Gospel reach above all those oppressed by wickedness, which corrupts history and confuses consciences! I think of the people tormented by warto Christians persecuted for their faith, to children deprived of education. Announcing Christ’s Easter in words and deeds means giving a new voice to hope, otherwise suffocated in the hands of the violent. In fact, when it is proclaimed in the world, the Good News illuminates every shadow, in every time.”
And, finally, the Pontiff reserves a thought full of “affection” for his predecessor, recalling “in the light of the Risen Pope Francis, who on Easter Monday last year gave his life to the Lord”. And while a great applause rises from the square, Leone invites, “memorying his great testimony of faith and love”, to pray together with the singing of the Regina Coeli. He thanks those who wished him Easter greetings and appeals for «persevere in praying together for peace».
