We find ourselves faced with the “possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions”, a “spiral of violence” that must be stopped “before it becomes an irreparable chasm”. At the end of the Angelus, the words of Leo XIV arrived which added to the concern of the international community after the attack carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran: «I am following with deep concern what is happening in the Middle East and in Iran in these dramatic hours», said the Pope. «Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain and death, but only through reasonable, authentic and responsible dialogue».
For this reason, added Leo May diplomacy regain its role and the good of peoples be promotedwho yearn for a peaceful coexistence, based on justice. And we continue to pray for peace.”
In the Angelus the Pope had commented on today’s evangelical page, dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord (see Mt 17,1-9): «To represent it, the Evangelist dips his stylus into the memory of the Apostles, painting Christ between Moses and Elijah. The Word made man is between the Law and the Prophecy: he is the living Wisdom, which brings every divine word to completion. Everything that God has commanded and inspired men finds full and definitive manifestation in Jesus. As on the day of the baptism in the Jordan, so today on the mountain we hear the voice of the Father, who proclaims: “This is my beloved Son”, while the Holy Spirit surrounds Jesus with a “luminous cloud” (Mt 17.5). With this truly singular expression, the Gospel describes the style of God’s revelation. When he shows himself, the Lord shows his excess to our gaze: before Jesus, whose face shines “like the sun” and whose clothes become “white as light” (see v. 2), the disciples admire the human splendor of God. Peter, James and John contemplate a humble glory, which is not exhibited as a spectacle for the crowds, but as a solemn confidence.
The Transfiguration anticipates the light of Easter, an event of death and resurrection, of darkness and new light that Christ radiates on all bodies scourged by violence, on bodies crucified by pain, on bodies abandoned in misery. In fact, while evil reduces our flesh to a bargaining chip or an anonymous mass, this very same flesh shines with the glory of God. The Redeemer thus transfigures the wounds of history, illuminating our minds and our hearts: his revelation is a surprise of salvation! Are we fascinated by it? Does the true face of God find in us a look of wonder and love?
The Father responds to the desperation of atheism with the gift of the Savior Son; from agnostic solitude the Holy Spirit redeems us by offering an eternal communion of life and grace; before our weak faith, lies the announcement of the future resurrection: this is what the disciples saw in the radiance of Christ, but it takes time to understand it (see Mt 17:9). A time of silence to listen to the Word, a time of conversion to enjoy the company of the Lord.”
“While we experience all this during Lent,” added Pope Prevost, “we ask Mary, Teacher of prayer and Morning Star, to guard our steps in faith.”
After the Angelus, Leo XIV he also expressed his concern about the ongoing clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. «I make my plea for an urgent return to dialogue. Let us pray together that harmony may prevail in all conflicts in the world. Only peace, a gift from God, can heal the wounds between peoples.
I am close to the populations of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, hit by violent floods. I pray for the victims, for the families who lost their homes and for those involved in the rescue operations.
I affectionately greet all of you, Romans and pilgrims from various countries, in particular the group of Cameroonians who live in Rome, accompanied by the President of the Episcopal Conference of that country, which, God willing, I will have the joy of visiting in the month of April.
I welcome the faithful of the Diocese of Iaşi in Romania, those of Budimir near Košice in Slovakia, of Massachusetts in the United States and of the Confraternity of Santísimo Cristo de la Buena Muerte of Jaén, in Spain.
I greet the faithful of Naples, Torre del Greco and Afragola, of Caraglio and Valle Grana, of Comitini, Crotone, Silvi Marina and of the parish of San Luigi Gonzaga in Rome; as well as the scout leaders of the “Val d’Illasi” group, near Verona, and the boys from Faenza who received Confirmation.
I wish everyone a good Sunday!
