On Easter, Francis Breaks With Tradition

Francis gives impromptu homily on steps to St. Peter's Basilica
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 16, 2017 7:01 AM CDT
On Easter, Francis Breaks With Tradition
Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Mass, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 16, 2017    (Andrew Medichini)

In an impromptu Easter Sunday speech, Pope Francis encouraged people to hold fast in their "fearful hearts" to faith despite all the wars, sickness, and hatred in the world, acknowledging that many wonder where God is amid so much evil and suffering. Tens of thousands of faithful braved heavy security checks—and, later, a brief downpour from what had been sunny skies—to enter St. Peter's Square where Francis celebrated Mass on the steps leading to St. Peter's Basilica, reports the AP. Traditionally, the pope gives no homily during the late-morning Easter Mass, saving his reflections for the "Urbi et Orbi," a solemn message delivered "to the city and to the world"—at noon from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. But Francis broke with that tradition, giving an off-the-cuff homily during Mass to tackle what he described as a nagging question for many faithful: why are there so many tragedies and wars if Jesus has risen from the dead.

"The Church never ceases to say, faced with our defeats, our closed and fearful hearts, 'stop, the Lord is risen.' But if the Lord is risen, how come these things happen?" Francis said, citing accidents, illnesses, human trafficking, revenge and hatred, among other suffering. "Nobody asks us: 'But, are you happy with all that's happening in the world?'" Francis gestured toward the potted hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils, as well as bouquets of pink roses, arranged in neat rows on the steps leading to the imposing church. Easter "isn't a party with lots of flowers. This is pretty, but it's not this, it's more than this," Francis said, describing the day as an occasion to ponder the mystery of faith. Francis said Easter brings "a sign in the midst of so many calamities: a sense of looking beyond, of saying don't look to a wall, there's a horizon, there's life, there is joy." (More Pope Francis stories.)

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