“I would like to say to everyone, with heartfelt joy, Happy Easter!”, This is how the Holy Father began his Easter message and "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. Addressing in particular the poor, the elderly and those who are going through moments of trial and difficulty, Francis stressed that we are not alone: "Jesus, the Living One, is with us, forever.”

Pope Francis recalled the first witnesses of the Resurrection who show us that, "in the wake of Easter, humanity’s journey, now marked by hope, advances all the more readily.” The Pope recalled, for example, the episode in which the women “ran to tell the disciples” (Mt 28:8). Mary Magdalene then “ran and went to Simon Peter” (Jn 20:2), while John and Peter himself then “ran together” (cf. v. 4) to the place where Jesus had been buried.

Francis left an invitation to all to hasten, "we too make haste to progress on a journey of reciprocal trust: trust among individuals, peoples and nations" and to continue "towards Goodness itself, which never disappoints.” The Pope left the invitation to hasten "to surmount our conflicts and divisions, and to open our hearts to those in greatest need.” Recalling the conflict in Ukraine, the divisions in Lebanon, the social and economic problems of the people of Tunisia, the socio-political and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the victims of international terrorism, especially in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria, the Holy Father asked us to hasten "to pursue paths of peace and fraternity.”

Leaving in haste represents the attitude depicted in Pope Francis’ indications for WYD Lisbon 2023, as Bishop Manuel Clemente explained at the 196th Plenary Assembly of the Portuguese Bishops' Conference: «may young people’s evangelization be active and missionary, for this is how they will recognize and witness the presence of the living Christ».