“Christ’s Cross is a sign of the hope that does not disappoint; and it tells us that not even one tear, not one sigh is lost in God’s plan.” Just days before Easter, Pope Francis stressed this during his private General Audience today, March 31, 2021, on the Easter Triduum, which was streamed again from the Pope’s apostolic library due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic.

This comes as Italy, will return to being almost entirely a ‘red zone,’ i.e. in lockdown, around the Triduum and Easter, as the country battles this most recent wave of the coronavirus and its variants.

At its conclusion, the Pontiff offered some words of comfort.

“Dear brothers and sisters, again this year we will live the Easter celebrations in the context of the pandemic,” Pope Francis said.

“In many situations of suffering, especially when they are borne by people, families and populations already tried by poverty, disasters or conflicts,” the Pope continued, “Christ’s Cross is like a beacon that indicates the port to ships that are still afloat on stormy seas.”

Christ’s Cross, Francis said, “is a sign of the hope that does not disappoint; and it tells us that not even one tear, not one sigh is lost in God’s plan.”

The Holy Father concluded, praying: “Let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace of serving Him and acknowledging Him,” and of not forgetting Him.