Jesus came and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Christ’s blessing resounds today, on this most solemn day: peace be with you! Peace to all the women and men of the world! Christ is truly risen, and brings peace to all!

Peace, in the manner that our world perceives it, is often a precarious balance of powers, that sooner or later turn against one another once more. The peace which is the gift of the risen Christ is deep and complete, and can reconcile man with God, with himself and with creation.

Many religions proclaim that peace is a gift from God. May all the world’s believers join their efforts to build a more just and fraternal humanity; may they work tirelessly to ensure that religious convictions may never be the cause of division and hatred, but only and always a source of brotherhood, harmony and love.

May the Resurrection of Christ bring an end to the tragic sequence of atrocities and killings that bloody Ukraine, plunged in these very days into horror and despair. It seems that war has been declared on peace, but nothing is resolved by war — it only brings greater suffering and death. This is a truly great tragedy; no one can remain silent and inactive, no political or religious leader. Denunciation must be followed by practical acts of solidarity that will help everyone to rediscover mutual respect and to make justice return.

There are still so many areas of conflict, violence and war in our world. We are also challenged in our peaceful island home with the growing phenomenon of shootings, killings and gang fights.

O Risen Lord, who has overcome tribulation and death, grant us your peace! May that peace enter, first of all, in every human heart and bring healing there. May it permeate good relations between all sectors of society, between different peoples, dialects and mindsets, bringing everywhere the leaven of solidarity and love.

A blessed Easter to you, my dear and good people. Jesus is risen. Alleluiah!