Pope Francis began the month of April celebrating the Easter Triduum liturgies.
On Holy Thursday morning, he presided over the Chrism Mass, which was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.
On Good Friday, for the second year running, the Way of the Cross took place in an empty St. Peter's Square. This year's reflections were prepared by children and teenagers, and focused on their challenges as young people.
On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing, on the city of Rome and the world. During his address, he urged governments to work together to ensure that Covid-19 vaccines are made accessible to everyone.
POPE FRANCIS
April 4, 2021
'I urge the entire international community, in a spirit of global responsibility, to commit to overcoming delays in the distribution of vaccines and to facilitate their distribution, especially in the poorest countries.'
He also prayed for peace in many countries suffering from war and conflict. These include Myanmar, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen and Haiti.
On Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Church of Divine Mercy in Rome. Among those present were prisoners from different jails in Rome and patients from a nearby hospital.
POPE FRANCIS
April 11, 2021
'You represent realities in which mercy is made concrete, becoming closeness, service, care for people facing hardships. I hope that having received mercy, you can be merciful.'
At the Vatican, Pope Francis had a private meeting with then Prime Minister-designate of Lebanon, Saad Hariri. Hariri later said on Twitter that the Pope confirmed he would travel to Lebanon once a government was formed.
The Pope visited the vaccination center set up by the Vatican for the homeless and people in need. He spent some time with those receiving the vaccine, and even shared a giant chocolate Easter egg with them.
On April 26, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis ordained nine new priests from three seminaries in Rome.
In April the Pope announced two important changes to the Vatican's legal system. The first is a set of new anti-corruption measures aimed at top Vatican officials.
The new measures require that all Vatican employees have no pending criminal proceedings or interests in companies not aligned with the Church's Social Doctrine.
The second modification to the Vatican's legal system abolishes privileges for cardinals, meaning they will no longer be judged by a special tribunal, but will go through the same process as any other person accused of a crime in Vatican City State.
These changes were announced in the middle of the Vatican's investigation of corruption related to the Secretariat of State's finances. Among those currently under investigation is Cardinal Angelo Becciu.
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