Pope urges Christians to build fraternity

Source: Vatican Media

Only fraternity can guarantee lasting peace, defeat poverty, extinguish tensions and wars, and eradicate corruption and crime, Pope Francis said during his Regina Coeli address at midday on Easter Monday. Speaking to more than 20,000 pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square the Pope said same fraternity lived by the first Christians is needed today.

The Pope said that the words "He is risen" spoken by the angel to the women, could be uttered only by "a superior being to communicate a reality so shocking, so incredible, that perhaps no man would dare to pronounce it." The community of disciples later began to repeat it.

Pope Francis noted that after Easter, on Monday of the Angel, we feel the need to reunite and celebrate with our loved ones and friends. By rising again from death, the Pope explained, Jesus broke down the wall of division between men, restored peace, and began weaving the fabric of a new fraternity. The Holy Father underscored the importance of rediscovering fraternity in our time, just as it was lived in the early Christian communities.

The Pope said: "There cannot be a true communion and a commitment to the common good and social justice without fraternity and sharing." "Without fraternal sharing, an authentic ecclesial or civil community cannot be created: there can only be a group of individuals motivated by their own interests," the Pope warned.

We cannot close ourselves in our privacy, in our group, but we are called to take care of the common good, to take care of our brothers, especially the weakest and most marginalized. Only fraternity, the Pope stressed, can guarantee lasting peace, defeat poverty, extinguish tensions and wars, and can eradicate corruption and crime.

The Pope concluded urging all to implore the Virgin Mary help all make fraternity and communion their lifestyle and the soul of their relationships.

After reciting the Regina Coeli and giving his blessing, Pope Francis greeted various groups from Italy and around the world present in the square. He encouraged them to be witnesses of the peace of the risen Lord especially to the "most fragile and disadvantaged" people. The Pope also said a special prayer for people with autism, to mark World Autism Awareness Day.

The Holy Father also invoked peace on the entire world, especially on populations suffering because of ongoing conflicts. He said: "In particular I renew my appeal for those kidnapped or unjustly denied their liberty to be released and returned to their homes."