My first Easter morning text message arrived at 5:52AM: “Christ is risen!” Similar messages followed throughout the day from friends and colleagues alongside a host of springlike emojis.

Novelty is the norm in my Easter gatherings, but each Easter my heart still wakes with the notes of Charles Wesley’s “ Christ the Lord is Risen Today ” surging through my memory.

“Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions.