Below is the full translation of Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter Urbi et Orbi message, courtesy of Vatican Radio.

“In resurrectione tua, Christe, coeli et terra laetentur!
In your resurrection, O Christ, let heaven and earth rejoice!” (Liturgy of the Hours).

Pope Benedict XVI delivers 'Urbi et Orbi' Message | Credit: AP

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and across the world, Easter morning brings us news that is ancient yet ever new: Christ is risen! The echo of this event, which issued forth from Jerusalem twenty centuries ago, continues to resound in the Church, deep in whose heart lives the vibrant faith of Mary, Mother of Jesus, the faith of Mary Magdalene and the other women who first discovered the empty tomb, and the faith of Peter and the other Apostles.

Right down to our own time – even in these days of advanced communications technology – the faith of Christians is based on that same news, on the testimony of those sisters and brothers who saw firstly the stone that had been rolled away from the empty tomb and then the mysterious messengers who testified that Jesus, the Crucified, was risen. And then Jesus himself, the Lord and Master, living and tangible, appeared to Mary Magdalene, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and finally to all eleven, gathered in the Upper Room (cf. Mk 16:9-14).

The resurrection of Christ is not the fruit of speculation or mystical experience: it is an event which, while it surpasses history, nevertheless happens at a precise moment in history and leaves an indelible mark upon it. The light which dazzled the guards keeping watch over Jesus’ tomb has traversed time and space. It is a different kind of light, a divine light, that has rent asunder the darkness of death and has brought to the world the splendour of God, the splendour of Truth and Goodness.

Iraqi security forces stand guard outside the Syrian Catholic Church, in Baghdad, Iraq | Credit: AP

2010 was a rather difficult year for the Catholic Church in a variety of aspects. As we have seen over the last several months, the Church has been rocked by the revelations of a multitude of cases of sexual abuse against minors by Catholic priests. Many within the media have also recently misconstrued comments made by the Pope regarding the use of condoms, which has caused uncertainty among some Catholics. Furthermore, the Catholic Church in Haiti has had to deal with tremendous destruction of buildings and lives after an earthquake devastated the nation in early January. Despite the trials and tribulations caused by these events, nothing ranks in comparison to the deliberate persecution of Catholics and fellow Christians throughout the world.

Throughout this year, the persecution of all Christians has been more evident than in years past. Throughout 2010, we heard stories about Christians being murdered in Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan, the Philippines and countless others. The most devastating attack occurred in Nigeria in March.

According to an article in the New York Times, the attack in Nigeria took place in the early morning hours of March 7th in the city of Jos. The attackers mercilessly massacred their victims “with machetes, killing women and children in their homes” while the men were captured and killed. In all, 500 Christians had been murdered when the attack was finally over.

The most devastating attack on Catholics came in Iraq during the month of October at Our Lady of Deliverance Catholic Church. The attack began when a group of militants from an al-Qaida linked organization stormed the church during the celebration of the Mass. The terrorist group then took the parishioners and priests hostage. When Iraqi security forces stormed the Church in an attempt to save the victims, they walked into an ambush, resulting in many of them being killed or injured.

In the end, 58 Catholics, including the two priests, had been murdered. Shortly after the attack, the al-Qaida linked terrorist organization claimed the assault was an attempt to rid the Iraqi nation of the influence of Christianity.

URBI ET ORBI MESSAGE
OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI

CHRISTMAS 2010

“Verbum caro factum est” – “The Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14).

2008 Urbi et Orbi Message | Credit: Getty Images

Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is “Emmanuel”, God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus.

This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope. First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the person of Jesus of Nazareth! Being in his presence, observing his works and hearing his words, they recognized in Jesus the Messiah; and seeing him risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and truth (cf. Jn 1:14).

“The Word became flesh”. Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved, they want to be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ.

Five years ago today, Pope Benedict XVI was elected in the second day of the Papal Conclave. Let us remember the Holy Father in our prayers on this special anniversary. Most especially, let us show our support for our German Shepherd as he continues to guide the church.

Shortly after the Habemus Papam announcement, Pope Benedict XVI emerged and gave his first Urbi et Orbi address.

“Dear Brothers and Sisters,

After the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.

The fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with inadequate instruments consoles me, so above all I entrust myself to your prayers.

In the joy of the Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help, let us move forward. The Lord will help us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you.”

VIDEO SOURCE: YouTube

SOURCE: Vatican | Holy See