VATICAN CITY, APRIL 3, 2005 (Zenit.org).- To the surprise of the faithful attending the Mass for John Paul II’s eternal rest, a Vatican official read a message the Pope had prepared for Divine Mercy Sunday.
Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State, told the crowd of 130,000 in St. Peter’s Square today that he read the text «with much honor and much nostalgia» — and «by the explicit indication» of the Pope himself.
«To humanity, which at times seems to be lost and dominated by the power of evil, egoism and fear, the risen Lord offers as a gift his love that forgives, reconciles and reopens the spirit to hope,» affirmed the Pope in his posthumous message.
«It is love that converts hearts and gives peace. How much need the world has to understand and accept Divine Mercy!» the Holy Father’s message stated.
John Paul II proclaimed the feast of Divine Mercy for the universal Church when canonizing Polish nun and mystic Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) on April 30, 2000.
In his message for the recitation of the Regina Caeli, the Holy Father wrote: «Lord, who with your death and resurrection reveal the love of the Father, we believe in you and with confidence repeat to you today: Jesus, I trust in you, have mercy on us and on the whole world.»
