Pope Recalls the Ascension of Jesus During Regina Caeli

An estimated 100 thousand people packed St Peter’s Square on this first Sunday in the Marian month of May. Many had come as tourists and pilgrims but it was the large numbers from Catholic Action Italy one of the most active ecclesial organisations in the country who stood out in the crowd singing and waving flags.

This week Pope Benedict xvi took centre stage on the covered alter in the square to recite the Regina Coeli which had been used by President of the Italian Bishops Conference, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco earlier to celebrate mass for Catholic Action Italy’s 140 Anniversary.

And looking out onto the sea of people before the Holy Father remarked that St peter’s square was almost like an open air cenacle.

In his address paid Pope Benedict paid particular attention to Sunday’s feast of the Ascension of Christ where Jesus returns to his father. Jesus the Pope said came to bring people back to God not as a great philosopher but as a shepard who wants to guide his flock back home.

He continued by saying that Christ came down from heaven for us and he ascended there again for us after his death on the cross. A death where he experienced extreme humiliation and after a profound separation from the Lord above.

The Holy Father then spoke about events after the ascension where the first disciples stayed gathered together around the Mother of Jesus in the cenacle.

He explained that this act was in expectation of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ.

Following the Regina Caeli Pope Benedict greeted all those present in a number of languages including English mentioning in particular the members of the Neo- Catechumenal Way from Mumbai in India.
 I greet with joy the English-speaking pilgrims who have come here today, particularly the members of the Neo-Catechumenal Way from Mumbai in India. In the course of this week we will pray with the whole Church for the coming of the Holy Spirit. May all of you receive abundant blessings of peace and joy.
The pope stayed on the Alter to give a special address to the members of the Catholic Action Italy Association on the occasion of the anniversary of their foundation.

To the young and old present he said the missionary Church faced the challenges of an educational emergency and he urged them to be generous educators. The Holy Father added that the Church also faces challenges on a daily basis such as relativistic, hedonistic, and a consumerist mentality on a daily basis and he said that those in the association must make more space for rationality under the banner of faith. Respond without fear the pope said, always trusting in the mercy of God.

Then in the glorious sunshine Pope Benedict took a lengthy turn around St Peter’s square in the white pope mobile waving and smiling to the cheering crowds.