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Dutch flowers decorate St. Peter's Square for Easter Sunday Mass 2019. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNARome Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).In early 2022, some Dutch Catholics were dismayed to learn that a 37-year Easter tradition would not continue. The Netherlands, known for its fields of flowers, had for more than three decades donated the colorful tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths that decorate St. Peter's Square for the pope's Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican.Pope Francis celebrates Easter Sunday Mass in 2017, flanked by tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils from the Netherlands. Credit: Lucia Ballester/CNAThe custom was put on hold for two years because of coronavirus restrictions, and in 2022, the Dutch florist who had organized the initiative since 2015 said he no longer had the sponsors to continue the project.The tradition seemed fated to end. But Dutch Catholics in Rome and the Netherlands were not easily discouraged, and they stepped in to ensure the floral finery wou...
Rows of daffodils decorate St. Peter's Square during Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican on April 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNACNA Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 06:10 am (CNA).Under clear spring skies and surrounded by thousands of faithful gathered in a St. Peter's Square adorned with vibrant yellow daffodils, Pope Francis's Easter Sunday homily called Christians to actively seek the risen Jesus in their daily lives, urging believers to "run" just as the disciples did after discovering the empty tomb."We must look for him without ceasing," emphasized the pope's text, which was delivered by Cardinal Angelo Comastri on April 20. "Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere, he dwells among us, he hides himself and reveals himself even today in the sisters and brothers we meet along the way."Earlier in the morning, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Pope Francis held a brief private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Casa Santa Marta...
Pope Francis speaks the Easter blessing "urbi et orbi" from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, April 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNACNA Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 06:48 am (CNA).On Easter Sunday 2025, Pope Francis did not deliver his speech in person, though he briefly greeted the faithful with a brief "Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter". The pope's traditio, "urbi et orbi," was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, as the 88-year-old pontiff, still convalescing, was present but physically limited. Pope Francis briefly blessed the crowd after the message was read."Urbi et orbi" means "To the city [of Rome] and to the world." It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions.Here is the full text of the pope's message:Christ is risen, alleluia!Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!Today at last, the singing of the "alleluia" is hea...
Iman Hijaze and her mother, Hadidza, at St. Joseph's House. / Credit: Alexey Gotovskiy/EWTN Vatican BureauRome Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).In 2017, while working at the World Food Program office in the Azarieh building in downtown Beirut, Iman Hijaze spotted her colleague's rosary lying on the floor. Alex Imad, a former Shiite Muslim who had converted to Christianity, had accidentally dropped it."When I touched it, I felt an electrical shock through my body," Hijaze recalled. Instead of returning the rosary to Imad, Hijaze slipped it into her pocket. Later, Imad checked the security camera footage and discovered what happened. When he confronted her, he hugged her gently and drew the sign of the cross on her back. "I felt another electrical sensation," Hijaze said when recalling the encounter. "It was the first time I actually felt something religious."Raised in a culturally Shiite household in southern Lebanon, Hijaze had long considered hersel...
Pope Francis wishes the crowd a "Happy Easter" from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNACNA Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 07:12 am (CNA).Pope Francis decried the numerous conflicts plaguing the planet and appealed to world leaders "not to yield to the logic of fear" in his Easter message "urbi et orbi" (to the city and to the world) on Sunday.The pope's traditional blessing, "urbi et orbi," was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, as the 88-year-old pontiff, still convalescing, was present but physically limited.Francis, who arrived at the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica in a wheelchair, greeted the faithful with a brief "Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter" before asking Archbishop Ravelli to read the message on his behalf."I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolati...
Incense is dispensed at St. Peter's Basilica during the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 19, 2025 / Credit: Zosia CzubakVatican 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 CzubakA priest distributes Holy Communion during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia CzubakA crucifix is ...
Catholics gather for Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, April 19, 2025 / Credit: Zosia CzubakVatican City, Apr 19, 2025 / 15:15 pm (CNA).Candlelight illuminated St. Peter's Basilica during the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday where Pope Francis' homily, read on his behalf, proclaimed the resurrection of Christ as "the definitive turning point in human history." "It falls to us to proclaim this Easter hope, this 'turning point' where darkness becomes light," the pope wrote in the homily, delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re is seen at the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak"The risen Christ … is the hope that does not fade. He is the love that accompanies us and sustains us," he said. "He is the future of history, the ultimate destination towards which we walk, to be welcomed into that new life in which the Lord h...
State capitol in Dover, Delaware. / Jon Bilous/ShutterstockCNA Newsroom, Apr 19, 2025 / 11:15 am (CNA).Delaware's Democratic Gov. Matt Meyer is set to sign a controversial assisted suicide bill recently passed by the state legislature, one that has drawn opposition from Catholic advocates who warn that it will "put the lives of [the state's] most vulnerable citizens at risk."Legislators passed Delaware House Bill 140 this week. The measure, once signed by the governor, will allow "a terminally ill individual who is an adult resident of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to end the individual's life."Prior to his election in November Meyer signaled his intent to sign the bill, stating during a debate that people "should have a right to exercise their right to die."If signed into law, the bill will make Delaware the 11th state to legalize physician-assisted suicide, joining California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and W...
Vice President J.D. Vance shares a moment of laughter with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, during their meeting at the Vatican on Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025. / Screenshot / Vatican MediaCNA Newsroom, Apr 19, 2025 / 07:35 am (CNA).Vice President J.D. Vance of the United States was received at the Vatican Secretariat of State by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Holy Saturday morning, where the two discussed international relations, religious freedom, and humanitarian concerns.The April 19 meeting included Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office."During the cordial talks, satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America, and the common commitment to protect the right to freedom of religion and conscience was reiterated," the V...
Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome, guard the entrance to Ponte Sant'Angelo, welcoming pilgrims as they begin their journey toward St. Peter's Basilica. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNARome Newsroom, Apr 18, 2025 / 15:10 pm (CNA).Each year, thousands of faithful pilgrims purposefully pass over the Tiber River via Rome's Ponte Sant'Angelo, where marble messengers lining the bridge recall Christ's passion through the sacred symbols they solemnly hold.In 1535, Pope Clement VII ordered the placement of statues of Sts. Peter and Paul, the patrons of Rome, at the bridge's entrance. However, it wasn't until 1669 that Pope Clement IX commissioned a new balustrade designed by the renowned Gian Lorenzo Bernini.Ten angels, each bearing an element of the Passion, were placed atop this structure, sculpted by Bernini's students under his meticulous direction.Today, on Good Friday, the Catholic Church commemorates the crucifixion of the Lord. The bridge has undergone extensive restorat...
