Pope Francis' Easter Homily: Cardinal Comastri's Reading & Reflections
Can the echoes of Easter still resonate within the heart of a world grappling with uncertainty? The resounding answer, echoing from Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, is a definitive and hope-filled affirmation: Yes, the Risen Lord offers us a pathway through the darkness.
The morning mass in Saint Peter's Square on that poignant Easter Sunday was a testament to the enduring power of faith. Although Pope Francis, at the age of 88, had made his final public appearance, the spirit of his message, delivered through Cardinal Angelo Comastri, vibrated through the assembled crowd. The homily, a beacon of hope, called upon all present to emulate the first disciples. The message was clear: Hasten to seek the Risen Lord, renew the gift of hope within yourselves, and share that hope with every person encountered along the life's journey. This summons was not a mere suggestion but an imperative, a directive for navigating the complexities of existence.
The Easter narratives, rich with symbolism and profound meaning, hold within them the blueprints of faith and renewal. Central to these narratives are the transformative experiences of those who first encountered the resurrected Christ. Consider Mary Magdalene, a figure of immense courage and devotion. Upon witnessing the empty tomb, she ran, driven by a mixture of disbelief and burgeoning hope, to relay the news to Peter and John. The Gospel's account depicts a scene of urgency and shared purpose, "the two were running together" (Jn 20:4), their hearts ablaze with the possibility of the impossible. This shared rush, this common journey, represents the essence of the faith: a collective pursuit of the divine, a shared experience of salvation.
The message of Easter, delivered by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, reminded the faithful of the very essence of the Christian faith: that the seemingly impossible is not only possible but has already happened. Pope Francis, in his homily for Easter Vigil 2024 at the Vatican, declared, 'It is the Lord, the god of the impossible, who rolled away the stone forever.' This single act, this profound demonstration of divine power, serves as the cornerstone of the Christian belief. The act of opening the tomb, as the homily explained, is still happening. "Even now, he opens our tombs, so that hope". The faith is not something that existed only in the past, but it is something that continues to exist in the present, and will continue to exist in the future.
In a world often consumed by doubt and despair, the message of Easter offers a potent antidote. The assurance that hope can triumph over despondency, that life can conquer death, and that forgiveness can overcome transgression, is offered to all those present. This message is not merely a doctrine, but an invitation to a lived experience, a pathway towards redemption.
The echo of the words spoken during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome, March 5, 2025, resonates with similar messages. With Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, reading the homily prepared by the Pope, the church offered words of reflection to all the faithful. Even during times of difficulty and challenge, the core message of the Christian faith endures. The focus on seeking guidance and redemption from God remains a central theme.
The call to prepare oneself for the Lord at Christmas is also an important reflection on our path in faith. During the corpus christi homily, delivered June 14 at the Basilica of St., the message of faith was the same: we need to remember the message of Jesus, and we need to live up to that message. We also need to be the example of the good things that we want to see in the world.
The reflections provided on those mentioned in the Office of Readings also provides us with a strong reflection on faith. "A man who can be found on the list of all the people of faith that we have recalled today in the office of readings (see letter the jews, chapter 11); those people who have lived the faith as the foundation of what they hoped for, as the guarantee of what they did not see, and the proof of". In a world that is filled with many things that we cannot see, faith allows us to have the strong desire, and the will, to work for all the good things we believe in.
Pope Francis, in his teachings, often emphasizes the importance of recognizing the presence of the divine in the everyday, urging individuals to seek the face of the Lord in the faces of those they encounter. By embracing the principles of the gospel, the faithful are encouraged to become active participants in the creation of a better world.
The core teachings of Pope Francis, especially when he was communicating on Easter Sunday, are filled with messages of love, understanding, forgiveness, and the importance of helping others. This is also found in his homily on Ash Wednesday, delivered by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis. The core message, is the same, as it provides the faithful with important teachings, which help people seek redemption and guidance from God.
The legacy of Pope Francis is one of humility, compassion, and inclusivity. His unwavering commitment to those who are marginalized, his dedication to the environment, and his relentless pursuit of peace have left an indelible mark on the world. His words, as echoed by Cardinal Angelo Comastri and Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, will continue to inspire generations to come.
The Holy Fathers final public address, his Easter Sunday homily on April 20, 2025, was more than just a sermon. It was a final act of service, a parting gift to the world. Through his message, the hope of Easter continues to guide humanity.
Let the echoes of that day in Saint Peter's Square remind us of the unending power of the gospel. Let us remember the importance of hope in a world that often feels hopeless. Let us carry the message of Easter within our hearts, and let us strive to live our lives as disciples of Christ.
May we find solace in the promise of redemption, and may we always, as Pope Francis exhorted, strive to make the world a better place.
