POPE’S EASTER MESSAGE: DON’T LOSE HOPE WHILE PANDEMIC RAGES

Pope Francis called on the faithful at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday not to lose hope in the protracted coronavirus crisis, Johannes Neudecker reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

"In the hour of darkness when humanity is grappling with the pandemic and other ills, Christians need to take to heart the Easter message of the angel not to be afraid," the 84-year-old head of the Catholic Church said in St Peter's Basilica.

One message of Easter, he said, is that it is always possible to start anew. Even from the shambles of human history, God has created something new. "From the rubble of our hearts," the pope said, "God can create a work of art; from the ruined remnants of our humanity, God can prepare a new history."

He added: "In these dark months of the pandemic ... listen to the Risen Lord as He invites us to begin anew and never lose hope," the pope said.

About 200 faithful and clergy joined in the service. Only a limited number of people were allowed to attend as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The pontiff urged the faithful to "renew the amazement of the first encounter" with God every day "and humbly allow ourselves to be surprised by God’s ways."

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