Pope reflects on Ascension, pays tribute to mothers

May 09, 2016

Pope Francis devoted his May 8 Regina Caeli address to Christ’s ascension into heaven.

In the Ascension, Christ “leaves our earthly space to enter into the plenitude of the glory of God, taking with him our humanity,” the Pope told pilgrims who had gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “Our humanity enters for the first time into heaven.”

The Pope added:

And in fact, after having seen their Lord ascend to heaven, the disciples returned to the city as witnesses who with joy announced to everyone the new life that comes from the Risen Crucified One, in whose name “repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations.”

This is the testimony — made not only with words but also with daily life — that every Sunday should leave our churches to go during the week into houses, offices, schools, places of meeting and entertainment, into hospitals, prisons, retirement homes, the places packed with immigrants, the peripheries of cities.

Following the recitation of the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis recalled that May 8 was the 50th World Day of Social Communications.

He also greeted participants in the Italian March for Life and paid tribute to all mothers, living and deceased: “we entrust them to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and for all of them we pray a Hail Mary.”

 

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Further information:

• Regina Coeli - 2016.05.08 (YouTube Vatican)
• Le parole del Papa alla recita del “Regina Coeli” (Holy See Press Office)
• Regina Caeli Full Text: On the Ascension (Zenit)