In his address to the city of Rome and the entire world Urbi et Orbi, Pope Francis spoke about the current conditions of the world, namely with reference to Corona virus that has inflicted severe distress on the extended human family. He coined a new term, which is the second "infection" caused by Easter, namely the "contagion of hope". The world thirsts nowadays for this positive and beautiful infection, because it constitutes a glimmer of hope that shines into the souls and hearts promising the presently sorrowful people, that the future will be better, God willing.
And the Pope says in his address that time is not suitable to four things that we may be accustomed to, which could not be applicable to this difficult time, namely indifference, self-centredness, division and forgetfulness are not words we want to hear at this time. We want to ban these words forever! They seem to prevail when fear and death overwhelm us, that is, when we do not let the Lord Jesus triumph in our hearts and lives.
The Pope mentioned in his address five Arab countries that are in need of peace and reassurance, namely Syria, which he referred to as beloved, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon. He did not fail to mention Palestine so he said: "May this be the time when Israelis and Palestinians resume dialogue in order to find a stable and lasting solution that will allow both to live in peace." The hope that the Pope talks about is based on faith in God and Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus, through joint action to achieve victory over the powers of evil, darkness, and whatever threatens human dignity.
Easter Sunday was impressive at St. Peter's Basilica and its square which used to be every year bustling with pilgrims, worshipers and believers who speak different languages and from all parts of the world. Yet, it seemed like an empty desert as a result of the force majeure sweeping every corner of the common house of humanity.
At a time when Pope Francis focused his attention on the capital of Italy--which is afflicted by the number of the infected and martyred from Corona virus, and focusing on solidarity and hope, and directing attention to the sick, the dead and the family members who wept for the loss of their loved ones and did not have the chance take the last look at them--Italian opera singer, songwriter, and record producer Andrea Angel Bocelli was signing at the historic Milan Cathedral, northern Italy, and performing a party without an audience to instill hope in his country, Italy, and the world. He presented the famous hymn "Amazing Grace: How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, t'was blind but now I see."
O Francis and Andrea, the humankind is proud to have people like you... two messengers of hope on a unique Easter day.
