Pope says risen Christ vanquished sin, death

Published: 2008-03-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In the darkness of night in St. Peter's Basilica as well as under dark skies unleashing torrents of rain on St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict XVI said the risen Christ vanquished the darkness of sin and death. "It is true: In the solemn Easter Vigil, darkness becomes light, night gives way to the day that knows no sunset," he said March 23, giving his Easter blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world) in St. Peter's Square during a storm. "We pray that joy will be present among us despite these circumstances," he said at the end of the blessing, which capped a Mass punctuated with thunder and lightning. Tens of thousands of people packed into St. Peter's Square armed with umbrellas. Members of the Swiss Guard stood at attention despite the rain dripping off their helmets. The night before, the pope celebrated the Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica, lighting a fire and the large Easter candle in the darkened church. During the service, he baptized five women and two men, including an Italian journalist who was born in Egypt to a Muslim family.

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