VATICAN CITY, APRIL 8, 2018 (Zenit.org).- Here is a ZENIT translation of the address Pope Francis gave today before and after praying the midday Regina Coeli with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
* * *
Before the Regina Coeli
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
Before the final Blessing, we will turn to our heavenly Mother. However, even before, I wish to thank all of you who took part in this celebration, in particular, the Missionaries of Mercy, gathered for their meeting. Thank you for your service!
To our brothers and sisters of the Eastern Churches that, according to the Julian calendar, celebrate today the Solemnity of Easter, I express my warmest best wishes. May the Risen Lord fill them with light and peace and comfort the communities that live in particularly difficult situations.
A special greeting goes to the Rom and to the Sinti present here, on the occasion of their International Day “Romano Dives.” I wish peace and fraternity to the members of these ancient peoples, and I hope that today’s Day will foster the culture of encounter, with the good will to know and respect one another mutually. This is the way that leads to true integration. Dear Rom and Sinti, pray for me and let’s pray together for your Syrian refugee brothers.
I greet all the other pilgrims present here, the parish groups, the families, the Associations and, together, we put ourselves under the mantle of Mary, Mother of Mercy.
[Original text: Italian] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
After the Regina Coeli
Terrible news reaches us from Syria of bombings with tens of victims, many of whom are women and children. News of so many people stricken by the effects of chemical substances contained in the bombs. Let us pray for all the deceased, for the wounded, for the families that suffer.
There isn’t a good or bad war and nothing — nothing can justify the use of such instruments of extermination against defenseless people and populations. Let us pray that the political and military men responsible may choose another way, that of negotiation, the only one that can lead to a peace that’s not that of death and of destruction.
[Original Text: Italian] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
