The ancient vigil \u201cstretches across the centuries as a path of reconciliation and grace,\u201d the pope said at the Vatican.Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican\u02bcs Easter Vigil on April 4 described the ancient ceremony as \u201cfilled with light\u201d and as the \u201cmother of all vigils\u201d where the faithful \u201crelive the memorial of the victory of the Lord of life over death.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do so after having traversed, over the past few days \u2014 as if in a single, grand celebration \u2014 the mysteries of the Passion of the God who, for our sake, became a man of sorrows: despised and rejected by men, tortured and crucified,\u201d the pope reflected.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV presides over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez\/EWTN News<\/p>\n
At the vigil in St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, the pope described the Risen Christ as “the very Creator of the universe who \u2014 just as he granted us existence out of nothing at the dawn of history \u2014 so too, upon the Cross, in order to demonstrate his boundless love for us, bestowed upon us the gift of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the account of the Resurrection, Leo said: \u201cOn Easter morning, the women \u2014 overcoming their sorrow and fear \u2014 set out on their way. They wanted to go to Jesus\u2019 tomb. They expected to find it sealed, with a large stone at the entrance and soldiers standing guard.”<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV presides over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez\/EWTN News<\/p>\n
He described that stone as representative of sin, \u201ca massive barrier that shuts us in and separates us from God, seeking to stifle his words of hope within us.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, however, did not let themselves be intimidated,” he said. “They went to the tomb and, thanks to their faith and their love, became the first witnesses of the Resurrection.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope said Jesus’ message to the women \u2014 \u201cPeace be with you\u201d \u2014 is \u201calso our message to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV presides over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez\/EWTN News<\/p>\n
“Like the women who ran to bring the news to the brethren, we too wish to set out tonight from this Basilica, to carry to everyone the Good News that Jesus has risen, and that \u2014 through his power, having risen with him \u2014 we too can give birth to a new world of peace and unity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Addressing the catechumens receiving baptism during the vigil, the pope described them as \u201creborn in Christ to become new creatures.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven in our own day, there is no shortage of tombs that need opening; indeed, the stones sealing them are often so heavy and so heavily guarded that they seem immovable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of these stones weigh upon the human heart \u2014 such as mistrust, fear, selfishness, and resentment. Others \u2014 the consequences of those inner burdens \u2014 sever the bonds between us, such as war, injustice, and the closing off of peoples and nations from one another.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet us not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by them!\u201d the pope said.<\/p>\n
Pointing to the heroic work of the Christians of the past, the pope urged the faithful to \u201cbe moved by their example.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd on this Holy Night, let us make their commitment our own, so that everywhere and always \u2014 throughout the world \u2014 the Easter gifts of harmony and peace may grow and flourish,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
This story was\u00a0originally published by ACI Stampa, EWTN News’ Italian-language partner agency. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n