(Vatican Radio ) On the 17 April 1960, Blessed John XXIII wished the faithful gathered
in Saint Peter's Square a Happy Easter in English, a language he never quite mastered.
It
was the 17th of April of that year when during his so called 'Urbi et Orbi' , Easter
message to the city and to the world , this Roman Pontiff soon to be canonised by
Pope Francis , told the faithful in in a style that was still formal in manner
yet at the same time personal in content: "Here we are, from Easter onwards we can
renew our loyal commitment to honour the responsibilities that life lays before
us in terms of relations of a religious, civil and social order".
O Jesus
who vanquished death and sin, Pope John he said , we all belong to you and wish
to go on belonging to you, every one of us together with our families and what is
most dear and precious to us all. We are forever yours whether we be in the ardour
of youth, in the wisdom of maturity, or experiencing the inevitable discouragement
and sacrifices that come with old age.
O Jesus , he said once again: "Give
us your blessing and impart your peace throught the world as you did when you appeared
on Easter morning..."
Listen to this scrap book in sound relating to
Blessed John XXIII from our Vatican Radio archives presented and produced by Veronica
Scarisbrick: