Incense is dispensed at St. Peter’s Basilica during the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 19, 2025 / Credit: Zosia Czubak
Vatican City, Apr 19, 2025 / 20:25 pm (CNA).
Catholics celebrated Easter Vigil in the Holy Night at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Saturday, marking what Pope Francis in his homily said was the moment when “the divine light of the Resurrection begins to shine” and “the Lord’s Passover from death to life takes place as the sun is about to rise.”
Still recovering from his bout with pneumonia, the Holy Father delegated the liturgy to be celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who read the pope’s homily during the Mass.
Hundreds of clergy were in attendance, including nearly three dozen cardinals.
Clergy are assembled for the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A priest distributes Holy Communion during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A crucifix is held aloft during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A member of the Swiss Guard is seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
The Paschal Candle is seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presides over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
Three catechumens are seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
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Vatican City, Nov 13, 2018 / 10:46 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò sent Tuesday a message to the bishops of the United States, who are holding a plenary assembly, encouraging them to act as courageous shepherds in the face of the sex abuse crisis.
“I am writing to remind you of the sacred mandate you were given on the day of your episcopal ordination: to lead the flock to Christ,” the emeritus Apostolic Nuncio to the US said Nov. 13.
“Meditate on Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Do not behave like frightened sheep, but as courageous shepherds. Do not be afraid of standing up and doing the right thing for the victims, for the faithful and for your own salvation. The Lord will render to every one of us according to our actions and omissions.”
“I am fasting and praying for you,” Archbishop Viganò concluded.
The former nuncio’s message came on the second day of the USCCB’s autumn general assembly, being held in Baltimore Nov. 12-14.
It was intended that the assembly would vote on proposals meant to form the basis for a response to the sexual abuse crisis facing the Church in the US.
But Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the conference, announced Monday morning that the Congregation for Bishops had directed that the vote not be held.
DiNardo said that the Holy See insisted that consideration of a code of conduct for bishops and a lay-led body to investigate bishops accused of misconduct be delayed until the conclusion of a special meeting called by Pope Francis for February.
Archbishop Viganò, who was nuncio to the US from 2011 to 2016, has issued a series of testimonies and letters in recent months.
In August, he wrote that Benedict XVI had “imposed on Cardinal McCarrick sanctions similar to those now imposed on him by Pope Francis” and that Viganò personally told Pope Francis about those sanctions in 2013.
Viganò claimed that this was ignored by Francis, who pulled McCarrick back into public ministry and allowed him to become a “kingmaker for appointments in the Curia and the United States.”
Pope Francis meets with other delegates of the Synod on Synodality at a roundtable discussion in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Oct. 17, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media
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1 Comment
It’s Good News. He is Risen. “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again”.
It’s Good News. He is Risen. “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again”.