EASTER SUNDAY: MASS, URBI ET ORBI BLESSING

VATICAN CITY, APR 23, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul celebrated Easter morning Mass in a flower-bedecked St. Peter's Square with well over 100,000 faithful from around the world after which he recited the traditional, twice-yearly "urbi et orbi" (to the city and to the world) message and blessing.

The Mass and blessing were broadcast live by TV stations in some 50 countries on all continents. For the 15th year, Dutch florists, who had arrived earlier in the week, decorated the papal altar and adjacent area in St. Peter's Square with flowering trees and more than 50,000 flowers, including 30,000 tulips. They also placed floral garlands on the loggias or balconies of St. Peter's Basilica.

At the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration a deacon, standing in front of the icon of the Most Holy Savior, known as the "acheiropita" (not painted by human hands) announced the resurrection of the Lord. The icon is housed in the Oratory of St. Lawrence, known as the "Sancta sanctorum" (holiest of holies) at St. John Lateran Basilica. It is a full representation of the enthroned Savior, painted on cloth applied to a wood tablet. Restored in 1995-96, the only part presently visible is the Lord's face which is painted on a silk cloth superimposed upon the original. The rest of the icon is covered by a sheet of silver.

In his urbi et orbi message, the Holy Father focussed on the triumph of life over death and "the power of renewal flowing from the Resurrection." He recalled that one month ago in the Holy Land he had had "the grace of kneeling before the stone slab which marked the place of Jesus' burial."

"May the Message of life proclaimed by the angel near the stone rolled back from the tomb overturn the hardness of our hearts: may it lead to removing unjustified barriers and promote a fruitful exchange between peoples and cultures. May the image of the new man, shining on the face of Christ, cause everyone to acknowledge the inalienable value of human life," lead to justice and equal opportunity for all, and lead to an end of conflicts among nations and peoples.

Following the urbi et orbi, John Paul II wished a Happy Easter in 61 languages to those gathered in St. Peter's Square or linked to it by television and radio.

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