Vatican, 16 April, 2023 / 8:15 pm (ACI Africa).
Despite its failures and imperfection, within the community of the Church is where one finds Jesus, Pope Francis said on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Reflecting on St. Thomas the Apostle’s initial doubt in Christ’s resurrection, Francis asked: “Where do we seek the Risen One? In some special event, in some spectacular or amazing religious manifestation, solely at the emotional or sensational level? Or rather in the community, in the Church, accepting the challenge of staying there, even though it is not perfect?”
“Without the community,” he emphasized, “it is difficult to find Jesus.”
The pope spoke about doubt and the Church to an estimated 20,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square April 16. On Sundays during the Easter Season, in place of the Angelus he prays the Regina Caeli, a Latin antiphon honoring the Virgin Mary.
An estimated 20,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square for Pope Francis' Regina Caeli message on April 16, 2023. Vatican Media