Vatican City, 13 April 2015 (VIS) –
At midday on Divine Mercy Sunday, following the celebration of Holy
Mass in the Vatican Basilica for the faithful of Armenian Rite, Pope
Francis appeared at the window of his study to pray the Regina Coeli
with the faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square. Before
the Marian prayer, the Pontiff addressed those present.
“Today is the eighth day after
Easter, and the Gospel of St. John tells of the two appearances of
the Resurrected Jesus to the apostles gathered in the Upper Room. …
The first time, the Lord shows the disciples the wounds on His body.
… But Thomas was not present that evening, and he did not believe
the account given by the others. … Eight days after – precisely
like today – Jesus returned among them and turned immediately to
Thomas, inviting him to touch the wounds on His hands and on His
side. He reaches out to his incredulity so that, through the signs of
the Passion, he is able to reach the fullness of Paschal faith: faith
in the resurrection of Jesus”.
“Thomas is a person who is not easily
satisfied, a seeker who wishes to check in person, to attain his own
personal experience. After his initial resistance and uneasiness, he
too finally reaches the point of believing. ... Jesus awaits him
patiently and is attentive to the difficulties and insecurities of
the last man to arrive. … [Thomas] was able to 'touch' the paschal
Mystery that fully demonstrates God's salvific love, rich in mercy.
And like Thomas, we too, on this second Sunday of Easter, are invited
to contemplate, in the wounds of the Risen Christ, the Divine Mercy
that overcomes every human limit and shines through the darkness of
evil and sin”.
Francis explained that the upcoming
Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy will be an intense and prolonged
period for welcoming the immense wealth of God's merciful love, and
emphasised that the Face of Mercy is Jesus Christ. “Let us keep our
gaze upon Him, He Who always seeks us, awaits us, forgives us … and
may the Virgin Mary help us to be merciful towards others, as Jesus
is with us”.
After the Marian prayer, the Pope
greeted those present, especially pilgrims attending the Holy Mass in
the Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, centre for devotion to
Divine Mercy. He mentioned the neocatechumenical communities of Rome,
which are beginning a special mission in the city's squares to pray
and offer witness of their faith, and congratulated the Oriental
Churches which, according to their calendar, celebrate Easter.
Finally, he gave thanks for the many Easter greetings that he has
received from all over the world.
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