Easter

The Latest

For Christians in Syria, Holy Week is a time for renewing faith

Mar 30, 2018

Christians in Syria have suffered greatly in recent years. Between the Syrian civil war and ISIS occupation, many have lost... Read more

Bishop James Wall greets young parishioners in the Diocese of Gallup. Courtesy photo

How a Church on the 'peripheries' celebrates Easter

Mar 29, 2018

By Perry West

As the Catholic Church prepares to receive thousands of Catholic converts this Easter, Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, N.M., is... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his April 19, 2017, general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope: Easter is about the gift of Christianity – not us

Apr 19, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

As the Church jumps into the Easter season, Pope Francis on Wednesday offered a reflection on Christ’s Resurrection and the... Read more

Resurrection art inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcre, Old City of Jerusalem.

US bishops: This Easter season, let yourself be filled with joy

Apr 17, 2017

Easter is a joyous reminder that Jesus’ Resurrection overcomes fear and doubt, the U.S. bishops said in their 2017 Easter... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday April 16, 2017.

Be men and women of life, Pope Francis says Easter Monday

Apr 17, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Easter Monday, Pope Francis stressed that Christ’s resurrection calls each of us to bring the message of Easter –... Read more

Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square June 22, 2016.

Pope on Easter: The Resurrection is more than a party – it’s the source of eternal life

Apr 16, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis reminded Christians on Easter Sunday that the Resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith – and that even... Read more

Pope Francis lighting the Easter candle before the entrance procession of the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 4, 2015.

Christ renews a weary humanity, Pope Francis says at Easter Vigil

Apr 15, 2017

By Elise Harris

During Easter Vigil at the Vatican Pope Francis noted that many people today mirror the sadness and grief of the... Read more

Pope Francis with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Monastery of Mater Ecclesiae in Vatican City on June 30, 2015.

Why did Pope Francis visit Benedict XVI? To say happy birthday!

Apr 13, 2017

Early Easter greetings and birthday wishes were the reason for Pope Francis’ visit with Pope emeritus Benedict XVI on Wednesday.  Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian Grotto in Pakistan.

Christian Easter celebrations targeted in Pakistan suicide bombing

Mar 27, 2016

A crowded park in Lahore, Pakistan where Christian families were celebrating Easter Sunday was the site of an apparent suicide... Read more

Pope Francis delivers Urbi et Orbi blessing at St Peters Basilica on March 27, 2016.

Pope: Easter message brings hope to victims of terrorism, persecution

Mar 27, 2016

By Ann Schneible

In his Urbi et Orbi message for Easter, Pope Francis encouraged victims of terrorism and Christian persecution to find hope... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil at St Peters basilica.

Let yourselves be moved by hope, Pope says at Easter Vigil

Mar 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

During the Easter Vigil, Pope Francis told attendees not to be overcome by sadness in the face of life’s difficulties,... Read more

Pope Francis prays on Easter Sunday morning in St. Peter's Square on April 5, 2015.

Will Pope Francis change the date of Easter?

Jun 19, 2015

Speaking to a global gathering of priests, Pope Francis signaled an openness to changing the date of Easter in the... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience on March 18, 2015.

Pope Francis sends rosaries, Easter cakes to Iraqi Christians

Apr 7, 2015

The Solemn Easter Vigil in Erbil, Iraq, concluded in a spirit of joyful celebration with the distribution of dove-shaped Easter... Read more

Candle Vigil.

Amid war in Syria, Catholic patriarch says Easter offers path of hope

Apr 7, 2015

Citing St. Paul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus, an Eastern Catholic patriarch’s Easter message repeated a call for peace... Read more

Faithful in India's Miao diocese pray in a candlelight vigil for persecuted Christians in the Middle East, March 1, 2015.

India bishop: Christ is working through the tragedy of present-day martyrdom

Apr 6, 2015

In his Easter letter released this week, Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao reflected on Christ's work through the tragedies of... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing April 5, 2015.

Pope's Easter message: In this violent world, what we need is Christ's resurrection

Apr 5, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis reminded Christians this Easter of the strength which comes from Christ’s death and resurrection, calling them to be... Read more

Pope Francis holds the Easter candle during the Easter Vigil April 4, 2015.

If you're looking for the truth, you'll find the Resurrection Pope says

Apr 4, 2015

By Elise Harris

During his homily for the Easter Vigil Pope Francis said that the Resurrection of Jesus is a mystery we can... Read more

Piece of Colomba cake.

A sweet sign of hope: Pope's envoy returns to Iraq with Easter cake

Mar 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' personal envoy to Iraq will return to the country during Holy Week, bringing with him the pontiff's love... Read more

Pope Francis prays during his general audience on September 25, 2013

Pope urges Christian communities to be ones of peace

Apr 29, 2014

By Elise Harris

Returning to his usual daily Mass schedule, Pope Francis reflected today that our contemporary faith communities ought to reflect that... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the sacrament of confirmation with young people Dec. 1, 2013.

Do not be 'afraid of joy,' Pope encourages

Apr 24, 2014

Pope Francis rebuked Christians who are “afraid of joy” and “mournful,” encouraging them to remember that Jesus Christ accompanies them.  Read more