Pope Francis’ appeal at the Regina Caeli – Freedom for people seized in war zones

An appeal “for
the liberation of all people who have
been seized in areas of armed conflict” was launched by Pope Francis at the
Regina Caeli on Sunday, 10 April. In particular the Pontiff reminded the faithful gathered in St Peter’s
Square of the Salesian priest Tom Uzhunnalil, who was take on 4 March during
the vicious attack on a centre for the elderly and disabled near the city of
Aden, Yemen. Four nuns of the Missionaries of Charity, the congregation founded
by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and twelve other people were killed in the
attack.

Before reciting the Marian prayer,
referring to the Gospel episode of the miraculous catch of fish, the Pope
pointed out the attitude taken by Peter, who threw himself into the water and
swam toward Jesus, with “all the enthusiasm of the Paschal faith, full of joy
and wonder, which sharply contrasts with the disappearance, the dejection, the
sense of powerlessness that had accumulated in the disciples’ heart”.

Indeed, Francis observed, “the
presence of the Risen Jesus transforms everything: darkness has become light,
futile work has again become fruitful and promising, the sense of weariness and
abandonment give way to a new impetus and to the certainty that He is with us”.

The Pontiff emphasized that “all of
us are the community of the Risen One”, and noted that “the great
message of the Resurrection instils in the hearts of believers heartfelt joy
and invincible hope”. He reminded the
faithful that “we Christians are all called to communicate this message of
resurrection to those we meet, especially to those who suffer, to those who are
alone, to those who find themselves in precarious conditions, to the sick, to
refugees, to the marginalized”, so that a sign of the powerful
mercy of the Risen Christ may reach everyone.