Once again an immense multitude "of every language and people and nation" (Apoc. 5, 9) fills this majestic square, which, beloved sons and daughters, it seems that everyone embraces you and unites you. And with you, present in spirit, they are the millions of other faithful, who devoutly listen to Our voice.

A new light shines in your eyes, a hymn of joy and glory resonates in your hearts : thousands and thousands of voices sing it, the harmonies of the organs accompany it, they spread it in the air, on the mountains and in the valleys, the ringing of bells. It's Easter. It is the day that the Lord made for our exultation, for our joy : "These days, which the Lord did: let us rejoice and be glad in it" (in Off. Because. Resurrect.).

The Lord knows how we would like to penetrate every home, pass through all the hospital wards, stop blessing next to every cradle, bend over with tenderness over every suffering; we would like to be able to free everyone from all fears, to give peace to all, to fill everyone with joy. Unfortunately it is not possible to do what we would like; and then We will restrict ourselves from addressing Our word to you, to confide to you - as we have done on other occasions - some thoughts born in our hearts during our meditation.

The echoes of the « Praeconium paschale » have just died away, and We still have in our soul a particular reason among the many that follow each other, they intertwine and merge in bold harmony. After the invitation to rejoice, addressed to the angelic crowd of heaven, to the earth, to mother Church and to all peoples, the attention of the liturgical song focuses on the night that preceded the resurrection of the Lord. Real night, night of passion, of anguish, of darkness; and yet a blissful night: "a truly blessed night"; because she alone deserved to know the time and hour in which Christ rose from the dead, but above all, because it was written about it: the night will light up like the day: "and the night will be lighted like the day". A night that prepared the dawn and the splendor of a bright day; an anguish, a darkness, an ignominy, a passion, that prepared the joy, the light, the glory, the resurrection.

1.— Considerate, beloved children, what happens on a stormy night. It seems that nature is shocked and has reached its final hour, hopeless. The lost traveler does not even have the faint light of distant stars to gather confidence and direction; the plants, the flowers, all the pulsation of life is submerged in the shadows, almost a shadow of death. How will it be possible to reawaken the singing and the scent? It seems that every effort is useless: beings cannot recognize each other in the darkness, the way cannot be found, the words are lost in the raging storm.

Yet all the elements are there; in the very clods of the earth there is a tremor of expectation; the seeds groan in suffering; the birds of the air have steady wings, eager to soar in free flight: but nothing can move.

However, towards the east a faint light appears; the roar of thunder calms down, the wind expands the clouds and the stars appear laughing: it is the dawn. The pilgrim stops; a smile appears on his tired face, while the burning eye lights up with hope. The sky turns purple, colors follow one another at a rapid pace and gradually fade; one last thrill, a flicker, a glow: it's the sun. The earth shakes, life awakens, a song rises.

2. — Even at night, which preceded the resurrection of Jesus, it was a night of desolation and tears, it was a dark night. Lui's enemies were satisfied that they were finally done, in the grave, the "seducer of the people". The Shepherd was beaten, the little flock had been lost. Desolate, disconcerted, Jesus' friends are forced to hide for fear of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is in the tomb. The body lies on the cold rock and his whole body is still bruised; the lips are silent. Which remains more than his words, who knew how to animate, comfort, illuminate; his words so full of majesty and wisdom? Where are his commands to the winds and storms; where is his power to escape the diabolical snares of his enemies or to bravely face their furies? Where is his power to heal the sick, to raise the dead? All (it seemed) it's finished; and were buried with Him, in the grave, not just the ambitious projects of some, but also the discrete hopes of many. It's all over, the men go on murmuring; and in their voice is the expression of a desperate sadness. It's all over, things seem to respond.

Yet who could have looked beyond the stone that closed the tomb, he would have had the impression that Jesus' eyes were not closed due to death, but for sleep; nor was there a trace of corruption in his limbs and his face still had the signs of his superhuman beauty clearly visible, of his infinite goodness. After death, the body of Jesus, like his soul, remained united with the Word, with divinity, who lives and works in those members. Not far away, in a modest and silent house, a flame of faith burns that has never been extinguished: Mary confidently awaits Jesus.

And here it is: the earth trembles; the angel descends from heaven, he overturns the heavy stone that closes the tomb, and sits down, majestic and serene, on it. The soldiers flee and rudely bring the first proof of their searing defeat to Jesus' enemies. It's dawn, at this point.

Mary Magdalene is running almost without knowing where, driven by a love that allows no stopping and does not allow reflection: here it is, suddenly, as if stunned before Jesus, who greets her with infinite tenderness. The pie gives, with their hearts in turmoil due to the announcement given to them by the angel, they also meet Jesus and fly to the apostles to announce the resurrection, to let them share in their joy, of their peace. Meanwhile, Peter received the certainty of his forgiveness from the Lord with an ineffable sign. And Jesus enters the Cenacle behind closed doors and finds the apostles; comforts them, calms them down, leave them his peace. Then he returns to revive Thomas' faith. Eight days earlier, on the road to Emmaus, he accompanied two desolate disciples and showed himself to them in the act of breaking bread.

The night is over: with it the anguish ended, the fear is over; the doubts disappeared; the darkness was illuminated; hope has returned, certainty. The sun shines again. A festive song goes up : He rose again, alleluia.

3. – That's what we would like, beloved children, what another night, the night that has fallen on the world and which oppresses men, would soon see its dawn and be kissed by the rays of a new sun.

We have repeatedly pointed out that men, of all nations and all continents, they are forced to live, disoriented and anxious, in a shocked and upsetting world. Everything has become relative and temporary, because it is less and less efficient, and therefore less effective. The mistake, in its almost innumerable forms, he enslaved the intelligences of creatures, however very select, and malpractice, of every kind, has reached degrees of precocity, of impudence, of universality such as to seriously worry those who are thoughtful about the fate of the world. Humanity seems like an infected and wounded body, in which the blood barely circulates, because they persist in remaining divided, and therefore not communicating, individuals, the classes, the peoples. And when they are not ignored, they hate each other : and they conspire and fight, and they are destroyed.

But even this night in the world has clear signs of a dawn, that will come, of a new day kissed by a new and brighter sun.

Meanwhile in the world, providentially, the means for the fuller and freer development of life are multiplying. While the discoveries of science broaden the horizon of human possibilities, technique and organization make these achievements effective, placing them at the immediate service of man. Nuclear energy has already practically started a new era : the houses are already lit with energy coming from the use of nuclear fission, and the day doesn't seem too far away, in which cities will be illuminated and machines will be moved by synthesis processes similar to those that have been lighting the sun and other stars for billions of years. Electronics and mechanics are changing the world of production and work with automation: man becomes, Like this, increasingly the lord of his works and sees his work rising in qualification and intelligence. Means of transport connect one point and another on the planet into a single network, which can be closed with a speed greater than the apparent motion of the sun. Missiles soar into the depths of the skies and artificial satellites are about to amaze space with their presence. Agriculture multiplies with nuclear chemistry the possibilities of feeding a humanity much larger than that of today, while biology gains ground day by day in the battle against the most terrible diseases.

Yet all this is still night. Night, so be it, full of thrills and hopes, but night. Night that could even suddenly become stormy, if the flashes of lightning appeared here and there and the crack of thunder was heard. Isn't it true that science, technique and organization have often become sources of terror for men?

They are therefore no longer as safe as they once were. They see clearly enough that no progress alone can bring about the rebirth of the world. Many already glimpse - and confess it - that this night of the world has arrived, why Jesus was arrested, because they wanted to make him extraneous to family life, cultural and social; because the people rose up against Him, because he was crucified and made mute and inert.

And there is a multitude of bold and ready souls, aware that this death and burial of Jesus was only possible because among His friends there were those who denied and betrayed Him; there were many who fled in fear before the threats of the enemies. Those souls know that timely action, in harmony and organically it will change the face of the earth, renewing and improving it.

It is necessary to remove the tombstone, with which they wanted to close truth and goodness in the tomb; we need to resurrect Jesus; of a true resurrection, that no longer admits any dominion of death: "The Lord is truly risen" (Luc. 24, 34), "death will no longer rule over him" (Rom. 6, 9).

In individuals, Jesus must destroy the night of mortal guilt with the dawn of reacquired grace.

In families, the sun of love must succeed the night of indifference and coldness.

In the workplace, in cities, in the nations, in the lands of misunderstanding and hatred, the night must be as bright as the day, "the night will be lighted like the day": and the fighting will cease, peace will be made. Alone, O Lord Jesus.

Humanity does not have the strength to remove the stone that it itself has made, trying to prevent your return. Send your angel, oh Lord, and let our night light up like the day.

How many hearts, oh Lord, they await you! How many souls are consumed to hasten the day in which you alone will live and reign in hearts! Alone, O Lord Jesus.

The Maria, that you saw him risen; Maria, from which the first appearance of Jesus took away the unspeakable anguish produced by the night of the passion; Maria, to You we offer the firstfruits of this day. And The, Bride of the divine Spirit, our heart and our hope. So be it!

source – http://www.centrostudifederici.org/messaggio-urbi-et-orbi-pio-xii-pasqua-1957/