Pope’s wishes for Orthodox and Oriental Christians

(April 16, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI has sent his greetings to Orthodox Christians around the world on the occasion of their Easter which they celebrated on Sunday, April 15, according to the Julian calendar. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Christian Unity said the Pope, in his message, reminded the heads of Orthodox Churches and Oriental Christians of the words of hope of the angel to the women on Eastern morning, not to be afraid. The Pope said that the Lord’s resurrection is the reason for hope for entire mankind, because it shows that death is not the last word in human existence but life. Pope Benedict urged the Orthodox and Eastern rite brethren to spread this message of hope of Easter to the men and women of our times, saying this becomes more convincing when proclaimed together. The efforts to promote unity among Christians in fact, he said, are primarily based on Christ’s prayer to the Father: “That they man be one, so that the world may believe.” The Pope wished that the Easter message, renewed by common witness in truth and love, strengthen faith in all Christians and renew their hope especially in regions where there are victims of violence, and bring peace and consolation to those who suffer injustice, disease, hunger and poverty.