Pope’s 2022 Easter wish: Do not lose hope, the real hope, that doesn’t disappoint.
Pope Francis in an interview with Bianchetti before Easter says that, despite the horrific war in Ukraine and other tragedies around the globe, this Easter we must keep our hope, even if it seems unfulfilled in the short-term.
On this Good Friday, the Pope gently suggests, “Before the Crucified Jesus, let your heart be touched. Let Him speak to you with His silence and His pain.”
When the Pope was asked what his wish was for this Easter, he spoke about the importance of finding internal joy. Despite all the desolation, he said, we must have hope and experience tears of joy.
“My wish is not to lose hope, the real hope, which does not disappoint.”
This Easter, amid war, the Pope said to ask for “the grace of tears,” “but tears of joy, of consolation, and of hope.”
“I am certain, and I repeat it, that we need to cry more.” He lamented that humanity has forgotten how to cry, saying, “Let us ask Peter to teach us how to weep like he did.”
The Holy Father confided, “One of the things I learned is not to speak when someone is suffering.”
During the interview, the Pope reflected on the drama of war throughout the world, with particular attention dedicated to the war in Ukraine, which according to recent figures, has forced more than 4.7 million to flee the country, especially mothers and children. In his remarks, the Pope warned against categorizing refugees and migrants into classes or by what they look like, and decried racism.
The Pope recalled that our Lord Jesus was a migrant and refugee in Egypt, while also warning against the “disease of hatred.” The Pope also reflected on the “monstrosity” of war.
Pope Francis stressed that the devil is deceptive and tries to seduce us into sinning.
“The devil is not a myth, but a reality.”
The Pope also reflected on the “monstrosity” of war.
The Holy Father cautioned as well against exploitation, which constitutes another “war” which “also destroys,” even if it does so without tanks.
Women, the Pope said, are “strong.”
A mother, he acknowledged, “is capable of accompanying her children to the end.” Women, he said, know what it means to “prepare life” and “what death is.” “They speak that language,” he said.
“It takes women to sound the alarm.”
The Holy Father also reflected on the many types of loneliness. Recalling the Extraordinary Statio Orbis in St. Peter’s Square on 27 March 2020 for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Pope said, “I did not know that the square would be empty.”
“It was a message from the Lord to understand loneliness well.”
God has been good to me
“Have you ever felt alone in carrying out your ministry?” Bianchetti asked the Pope.
“No. God has been good to me. He makes Himself present. He has been very generous. Perhaps because He knows that I cannot do it alone.”
Referring to some wounds affecting the Church, the Pope decried the spirit of worldliness, which he said greatly hurts the Church.
“When it falls into the worldly spirit, the Church is defeated,” he said.
