Thomas, in fact, is not the only one who struggles to believe; rather, he represents all of us to some extent. Indeed, it is not always easy to believe, especially when, as in his case, one has suffered a great disappointment. (…..) To believe, Thomas would need an extraordinary sign: to touch the wounds. Jesus shows them to him, but in an ordinary way, coming before everyone, in the community, not outside. As if to say: if you want to meet me, do not look far away, stay in the community, with the others; and do not go away, pray with them, break bread with them. And he says this to us too. It is there that you will be able to find me, it is there that I will show you, imprinted on my body, the marks of the wounds: the signs of Love that conquers hate, of Forgiveness that disarms revenge, the signs of Life that defeats death. It is there, in the community, that you will discover my face, as you share moments of doubt and fear with your brothers and sisters, clinging even more tightly to them. Without community, it is difficult to find Jesus. (…) Despite all her limitations and failures, which are our limitations and failures, our Mother Church is the Body of Christ; and it is there, in the Body of Christ, that the greatest signs of his love are imprinted, still and forever. (Francis - Regina Caeli, 16 April 2023)