Many of you have come this week, from different parts of Germany but also from several dioceses of France, as well as from Sweden and Lithuania. Other countries are also represented at Taizé, and let us not forget those who come from Africa, Asia and the Americas, particularly among the volunteers who live here for longer periods and who support the weekly meetings. Welcome to you all!

In a moment, two of you will ask me a question and I will try to answer, but before that I would like to share a few words.

We are in the Easter season, where after 40 days of Lent, we have 40 days to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. What does it mean that God raised Jesus from the dead? No Gospel presents us with an account of how this event took place. What we have are testimonies from people who encountered Jesus alive after his shameful death on the cross.

These testimonies show us how Jesus was present with his friends, who did not always recognize him straight away. His presence is a discreet presence that never imposes itself. He did not reproach them for their behaviour before his death — some had abandoned him, and one, when questioned, said he did not know him. He greets them with the words: “Peace be with you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, his own spirit, and sends them out to proclaim forgiveness to those they will meet, to live by what they have understood of him.

It was to the women that Jesus appeared first. To Mary Magdalene, he entrusts the mission of announcing the good news to his disciples. She becomes the apostle of the apostles.

There is nothing triumphalist in the accounts of the resurrection. The friends of Jesus are still afraid, doubt persists, and yet he comes to them, he welcomes them. It is afterwards that they are transformed, and according to the tradition reported in the Acts of the Apostles, it is at Pentecost that the Holy Spirit gives them the strength to live their trust in Jesus in everyday life, wherever God calls them to bear witness.

Placing our trust in these testimonies can also change our lives. We are not asked to understand everything, but to live by what we have understood. The resurrection of Jesus does not lock us into an identity filled with certainties, but opens us to a communion where we can all become sisters and brothers with those we meet, where peace is a gift to receive and share with others. This trust tells us that situations where deadlock and even death seem to have taken hold can change.

Last week, young people from Lebanon and Ukraine were among us. Their presence meant a great deal. We cannot forget those who suffer from war, the innocent people caught up in a cycle they did not set in motion. We received greetings from a Ukrainian, Myroslav Marynovytch. Here is what he said:

  “This is the fifth Easter that Ukrainians are celebrating in wartime — and the fifth Easter that nations are celebrating amid the ever-deepening collapse of the world order. More and more people bear the heavy crosses of war and are ready to cry out: 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, will you delay in judging and avenging our blood…?' (Rev 6:10). Yet the Easter miracle promises far more than mere retribution for crimes: 'Behold, I make all things new' (Rev 21:5). From the blood of martyrs, the sacrifice of mothers, and even the folly of the world's political leaders, a new world is emerging. We cannot yet see its outlines, but we believe in it, for we contemplate its prototype in the suffering and resurrection of Jesus. May faith in this coming transformation of the world inspire us in these Easter days!”

If Christ had not risen, said Brother Roger, who had begun the community life here at Taizé, we would not be here today. If he had not risen, we could not live in the mystery of communion that is his body, the Church. If he had not risen, where would our hope be for peace in this world that he loved so dearly?

Given the situation in the world, I would like to encourage you to pray for peace — first tomorrow at 8 p.m., when, as every Friday evening at Taizé, we will entrust to God in silent prayer the peoples suffering from war. And then on Saturday, the evening prayer will be dedicated to peace, following the call of Pope Leo XIV, who that evening will pray for peace in St. Peter's Basilica. Leaders of other Churches have also issued similar appeals.

These prayers will be a sign of our solidarity with those who are victims of war, and of our desire that the leaders of nations choose the path of dialogue rather than armed confrontation, so that a just and lasting peace may become possible. Let us not forget either the young people living under oppressive regimes, yet who seek peace and justice.

They will also be a sign of our hope that the peace of the Resurrection will transform our hearts and our lives, so that we may become artisans of that peace. Each and every one of us can pray for peace. Will you continue to do so once you return home?

Last week, I met a 17-year-old young woman from the United States who has chosen to study Arabic and Arab civilization. An acquaintance from the Taizé area, now elderly, has dedicated his life to the study of the language and culture of Iran. An Italian friend is beginning to set up twinning arrangements between schools in his city and schools located in war zones. It seemed to me that these people are making prophetic gestures that open onto a future of peace.

How might these gestures inspire us? Praying for peace also leads us to act, each according to our own possibilities. Will we be pilgrims of peace as we leave Taizé?

Finally, at the end of this year, our European meeting of young people will take place in Łódź, Poland — a city that stands at the crossroads of four cultures: Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Jewish. Is there not also a sign of hope for peace there, one that will become tangible? If you are between 18 and 35, come and join us from December 28 to January 1!