Sin promises things easily but leaves behind only solitude and death’, Pope Francis tells Christians during Easter vigil

Elias Hakizimana Apr 21, 2019 0 Comments

The Pope encourages people to reject the ‘glitter of wealth’ during Easter vigil at the Vatican

By Isabella Nikolic For Mailonline20:21 BST 20 Apr 2019, updated 09:24 BST 21 Apr 2019

Pope Francis gave the speech to up to 80,000 people in St Peter’s Basilica
He said: ‘Sin promises things easily but leaves behind only solitude and death’
‘Why not prefer Jesus, the true light, to the glitter of wealth, career, pride and pleasure?’

Pope Francis encouraged people reject the ‘glitter of wealth’ and to avoid seeking life’s meaning in ‘things that pass away’ at an Easter vigil in St Peter’s Basilica.

At the vigil, held yesterday in Vatican City, he said: ‘Do not bury hope!

‘We lose heart and come to believe that death is stronger than life.

Pope Francis encouraged people to 'reject the glitter of wealth' during an Easter vigil at St Peter's basilica in Vatican City — Pope Francis encouraged people to ‘reject the glitter of wealth’ during an Easter vigil at St Peter’s basilica in Vatican City

‘We become cynical, negative and despondent.’

For Christians Easter is typically a day of joy and hope as they mark their belief that Jesus triumphed over death by resurrection following crucifixion.

Pope Francis said: ‘Sin seduces. It promises things easily and quickly, prosperity and success, but leaves behind only solitude and death.

‘Sin is looking for life among the dead, for the meaning of life in things that pass away.’

He went on to say: ‘Why not prefer Jesus, the true light, to the glitter of wealth, career, pride and pleasure?’

At the start of the ceremony yesterday, Pope Francis, dressed in white robes, slowly carried a lit candle up the aisle of a darkened St Peter's Basilica — At the start of the ceremony yesterday, Pope Francis, dressed in white robes, slowly carried a lit candle up the aisle of a darkened St Peter’s Basilica

Eight adults, from Italy, Albania, Ecuador, Indonesia and Peru, were baptised by the pope during the Mass

He poured holy water over the bowed heads of all of them

At the start of the ceremony yesterday, Pope Francis, dressed in white robes, slowly carried a lit candle up the aisle of a darkened St Peter’s Basilica.

At the chant in Latin for ‘light of Christ’, the basilica’s lights were suddenly switched on in a dramatic tradition.

The basilica, which can hold up to 80,000 people, was filled with cardinals, diplomats, pilgrims and tourists.

Among them were eight adults who were baptised by the pope during the Mass.

The Vatican said these new faithful are from Italy, Albania, Ecuador, Indonesia and Peru.

Pope Francis said: 'Sin seduces. It promises things easily and quickly, prosperity and success, but leaves behind only solitude and death' — Pope Francis said: ‘Sin seduces. It promises things easily and quickly, prosperity and success, but leaves behind only solitude and death’

At the chant in Latin for 'light of Christ', the basilica's lights were suddenly switched on in a dramatic tradition — At the chant in Latin for ‘light of Christ’, the basilica’s lights were suddenly switched on in a dramatic tradition

From a shell-shaped silver dish, Pope Francis poured holy water over the bowed heads of the three men and five women, after they walked up to him, one by one, and listened to him calling their first names.

On Sunday, Pope Francis celebrates Easter Mass in the late morning in St Peter’s Square and gives a speech from the basilica balcony.

Known by its Latin name ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (to the city and to the world), the speech is an occasion to reflect on the world’s war-ravaged and other tense spots while paying tribute to Catholics’ practising their faith sometimes in the face of persecution or other difficulties.