Pope Francis celebrated the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night, the lack of pilgrims due to the coronavirus pandemic painfully obvious as he spoke in the enormous St Peter's Basilica.
In a message that was livestreamed from the near-empty basilica, which is closed to the public due to virus restrictions, the pope spoke of Easter bringing hope in our “darkest hour.”
Only a handful of dignitaries and faithful were in attendance at the Vatican City church, which can hold tens of thousands of visitors, for the Mass that marks the first celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
Francis likened the fears and despair of current times to those felt by Jesus' followers after his crucifixion.
“They, like us, had before their eyes the drama of suffering, of an unexpected tragedy that happened all too suddenly,” Francis said.
“For them, as for us, it was the darkest hour.”
However, the pope encouraged the faithful to “acquire a fundamental right that can never be taken away from us: the right to hope.”
Parts of the Mass were celebrated in shortened form, and as in previous days, a historical plague cross was also set up.
Other traditional Easter celebrations, including the pope's Urbi et Orbi blessing on Sunday, will be held with only a few people in attendance. The festive services can all be watched online.
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All papal celebrations for Holy Week, the seven-day period leading to Easter Sunday, are taking place with no public audience, and some rites have been cancelled, like the foot washing on Holy Thursday.
Easter, which falls on April 12 for Catholics, is the most important holiday in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ in celebrations that are traditionally marked with hope.
Francis has reminded faithful several times in recent days that many people would do great things during the time of the coronavirus.
