Catholic World News News Feature

Christ conquers evil, Pope reminds audience April 12, 2006

The celebrations of Holy Week and Easter remind the faithful that "evil does not have the last word," Pope Benedict XVI told his regular weekly public audience on April 12. We encouraged Christians to "commit ourselves with greater courage and enthusiasm to creating a more just world."

In coming days, the Pope remarked, "we relive the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord," and the Church's devotions should stimulate "the desire to follow Jesus more closely." He then outlined the liturgical celebrations of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. On Holy Saturday, he said, "the Church is spiritually united with Mary, praying by the tomb of the Son of God who lies at rest after completing his work of redemption." Then at the Easter vigil the Church celebrates Christ's victory over death.

Pope Benedict urged the faithful to prepare for Easter with a sacramental Confession. "We know that we are sinners," he said. Confession and absolution, the Pontiff said, strengthen believers to become "apostles of peace in a world that is, unfortunately, still marked by division and suffering."