On Easter Monday in Saint Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message during the Regina Caeli, urging Christians around the world to courageously proclaim the truth of the Gospel despite growing confusion, violence, and misinformation.
Speaking to the faithful, the Pope reflected on the Gospel account of the empty tomb, noting that even from the very beginning, the truth of Christ’s Resurrection was met with conflicting interpretations. According to Vatican News, he pointed out that while the women who encountered the risen Christ proclaimed His victory over death, others spread a different narrative denying the truth.
This tension, he explained, remains present today. “Often, the proclamation of truth is obscured by what we today call ‘fake news’ – lies, insinuations, and unfounded accusations,” he said, according to Vatican News.
Despite these challenges, Pope Leo emphasized that truth itself cannot be extinguished. Recalling Christ’s words after the Resurrection, he reminded believers of their mission: “Do not be afraid; go and tell,” a command that continues to guide Christian witness in every age, according to Vatican News.
The Holy Father drew attention to the many forms of suffering present in today’s world, including war, persecution, and social deprivation. He highlighted the plight of Christians persecuted for their faith, communities devastated by violence, and children denied access to education. In these realities, he said, the proclamation of the Gospel becomes even more urgent.
“To proclaim the Paschal mystery of Christ in both word and deed means to give a new voice to hope,” the Pope said, describing a hope that is often “stifled by the hands of the violent,” according to Vatican News.
Yet wherever the Gospel is lived authentically, he noted, it brings light into darkness and restores clarity in times of confusion. His message called on Christians not only to speak the truth, but to embody it through their actions.
At the conclusion of his address, Pope Leo invited the faithful to remember Pope Francis with gratitude, noting that he “on Easter Monday of last year, returned to the Lord.” He praised his predecessor’s “profound witness of faith and love,” according to Vatican News, and entrusted the Church to the care of the Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom.
“Let us pray,” he said, “that we may become ever more radiant heralds of the truth,” according to Vatican News.
Following the prayer, the Pope also acknowledged the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, encouraging all initiatives that promote unity and fraternity through sport. He emphasized that sport, with its universal language, can serve as a powerful instrument for inclusion and peace in a divided world.
In a time marked by uncertainty and division, Pope Leo XIV’s message stands as a clear call for Christians to reject fear, embrace truth, and become bold witnesses of the hope found in the Risen Christ.
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