Pope Francis celebrated the Easter Vigil carrying a Paschal Candle at St.Peter’s Bascilica at the Vatican on April 11 and preached a Gospel of hope to a humanity living under fear of the coronavirus pandemic.
Issuing a strong appeal to Christians worldwide as the pandemic is confronted in 185 nations and territories, Pope Francis said:
“May the hearts of those who have enough be open to filling the empty hands of those who do not have the bare necessities.
Let us silence the cries of death! No more wars!
May we stop the production and trade of weapons, since we need bread, not guns! Let abortion and the killing of innocent lives end!”
Only a congregation of just 30 people, including nine members of the Sistine Chapel Choir, some women religious and lay people, and one cardinal and one bishop was present.
