Duterte’s call to nurture humility and forgiveness

Addressing  millions of Christians celebrating Easter Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte reminded Filipinos that Christ’s triumph is a message for us to “nurture humility and forgiveness in our hearts.”Today, Catholic churches nationwide lift the veil of today and adorn altars with flowers once more to commemorate Easter in atonement for the sins of mankind.Churches held vigil late yesterday, with priests blessing the sacred fire and lighting the huge paschal candle, representing the  conquering of darkness or death.In some churches like the Edsa Shrine in Mandaluyong, the traditional “Salubong” procession followed immediately after the vigil.In his Easter message, Duterte urged Filipinos  to reflect on the sacrifices of Christ. “I join our brothers and sisters in the Christian faith in celebrating Easter Sunday,” Duterte said.“As we remember Christ’s triumph, may we nurture humility and forgiveness in our hearts as these will free us from the shackles of hatred and greed. For it is only by being selfless that we can truly say we are worthy of God’s love,” he added.Duterte then encouraged Filipinos to make sacrifices for the greater good of the nation.“Let us make this occasion more meaningful by offering aid to others, especially to those in need,” the president said.“Let us pray for the welfare and safety of our countrymen and for lasting peace in our nation so that we can all work together in harmony towards real change,” he added. “I wish everyone a solemn and joyous Easter Sunday.”Meanwhile, leading Holy Week rites at the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was “ashamed” that younger generations would inherit a world “fractured by divisions and wars.”Speaking in Rome at the end of the traditional Good Friday Stations of the Cross procession, the pontiff said the world was “devoured by egotism in which the young, the sick, the old are marginalised.”Amid tight security, around 20,000 faithful, many holding candles, gathered around Rome’s Colosseum for the religious ritual.The Italian capital has been put under tight surveillance following a week marked by a series of anti-terror arrests.