The month of April also coincided with Holy Week in the Vatican.
Starting on Palm Sunday, the Pope celebrated the ceremonies in the basilica, in front of a few pilgrims and with millions of people following the broadcast services on television.
POPE FRANCIS
“May we not think only about what we lack, but about the good we can do.”
Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, and therefore remembered the priests who are defamed and insulted.
POPE FRANCIS
“They learn to forgive, because they know they need to ask for forgiveness and to forgive. We are all sinners.”
On Good Friday, the liturgy is held in silence, to contemplate the Passion and Death of Christ. The Pope prostrated himself for a few moments as a sign of penance.
In the evening, the pope presided over the Way of the Cross in St. Peter's Square which was illuminated by candles.
It was an emotional prayer in which people such as a man sentenced to life in prison, the daughter of an imprisoned man, or the parents of a murdered young woman, contemplated the Passion of Christ.
The Holy Saturday ceremony began in complete darkness and silence.
Then, the pope blessed the fire and lit the Easter candle.
And as a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ, the whole basilica was lighted up.
POPE FRANCIS
“How beautiful it is to be Christians who offer consolation, who bear the burdens of others and who offer encouragement: messengers of life in a time of death!”
On Easter Sunday, the pope held the Easter message and the Urbi et Orbi blessing from inside the basilica.
A speech in which he asked government leaders to put aside their differences and act as a team in the interest of the sick.
POPE FRANCIS
“May international sanctions be relaxed, since these make it difficult for countries, on which they have been imposed, to provide adequate support to their citizens.”
In April, the Australian High Court acquitted Cardinal George Pell of child abuse charges.
It said he had been convicted without sufficient evidence and should be acquitted. The decision was made unanimously by the 7 judges.
The pope indirectly mentioned this in his homily in Santa Marta.
POPE FRANCIS
I would like to pray today for all the people who suffer unjust sentences because of unrelenting hatred.
Among this month's decisions, the pope made a new commission to study the female diaconate.
This is the second commission to address it, since during the first one the experts did not reach an agreement. This time, no historians have been appointed, only theologians and biblical scholars. It is made up of ten members, of which five are women.
The pope's saint day is observed in April. To celebrate St. George, he sent eight respirators to several hospitals.
CARD. KONRAD KRAJEWSKI
Papal Almoner
“The Holy Father sends this strong message on his name day.”
A gesture of closeness and support to those who suffered most during the first wave of the pandemic in April.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
Translation: Christian Campos
