杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, FSP

Lorena Bianchetti, the host of an Italian television show called A Sua Immagine ("In His Image"), recognized the caller鈥檚 voice immediately. 鈥溞覯AP导航 Francis!鈥� she exclaimed. 鈥淲elcome to the programme鈥�.

鈥淵ou recognized my voice!鈥� the 杏MAP导航 replied.

Lorena then thanked the 杏MAP导航 for calling, 鈥渂ut above all, for what you are doing for all of us, for how you are participating in such a paternal way in our sufferings鈥�. Then, as any other host she had a question for the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淵our Holiness鈥�, she asked, 鈥渉ow are you living these days?鈥�

The 鈥渃rucified鈥� of today

鈥淚 am thinking of the crucified Lord and of the many stories of history鈥檚 crucifixions, those of today, of this pandemic鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 replied. Then he listed those whom he has been mentioning frequently: doctors, nurses, sisters, priests. They have 鈥渄ied on the front lines, like soldiers, who have given their lives out of love鈥�. He compared them to Mary, steadfast at the foot of the cross. They found that cross, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渋n their communities, in hospitals, treating the sick鈥�. They are the 鈥渃rucified of today, dying out of love鈥�. This is what 杏MAP导航 Francis is thinking about in these days.

杏MAP导航 looks to hope

The 杏MAP导航 then underlined that he is near to those who are suffering, especially because of the pandemic. However, he is 鈥渓ooking up, looking toward hope, because hope does not disappoint. It does not take away pain, but it does not disappoint.鈥�

Love the last word

Lorena then asked a further question: 鈥淪o, Holy Father, once again, notwithstanding everything, this will be an Easter of the Resurrection, an Easter of peace?鈥�

鈥淓aster always ends in the Resurrection and in peace鈥�, he replied. This does not mean a 鈥渉appy ending鈥�, he continued, 鈥渂ut a loving commitment that makes you tread a difficult path. But He trod it first. This comforts us and gives us strength鈥�.