Resurrection is a Reality: Pope Francis declares Christian hope powerful and important

'Christian hope is not like everyday hopes we have.'

Pope Francis made a powerful statement about resurrection during his Wednesday General Audience.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - He stated, "the Christian belief in the Resurrection of Christ and in our own resurrection at the end of time is more than just wishful thinking, but rather implies confidence in something certain."

While speaking out to the pilgrims in the Vatican Paul VI hall, the Holy Father noted he understands the fear in whether there really is life after death.

"We all have a little fear of the uncertainty of death," the Pope said. "Each time we face our death, or that of a loved one, we feel that our faith is tested. All our doubts emerge, all our weaknesses and we ask ourselves: 'But really there is life after death ...? I can still see and embrace the people I loved...?'"

Taking a page from St. Paul, Pope Francis advised us to hold tightly onto the hope of salvation. During the most difficult times of our lives, when our faith is tested the most, that is when we need to remember God's plan.

He continues to express that "Christian hope is not like everyday hopes we have." Christian hope means, "to be sure that I'm on the way to something that is, not that I want to be."

Pope Francis used the example of a pregnant woman in his description, because she holds hope in the unknown of her pending birth.

"One nice thing: everything passes but, after death, we shall be forever with the Lord. It is the total certainty of hope," he said. "Do you believe this?"

Pope Francis concluded with recognizing that to live in hopeful expectation is not always easy but we can take peace in a message from St. Paul. Jesus "died for us 'so that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.'"