(Vatican Radio) At the end of Sunday’s Mass, Pope Francis recited the Regina Caeli
prayer with the tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for
the celebration.
In his remarks prior to the Regina Caeli, the Holy
Father spoke about the “spiritual presence of the Virgin Mary, alive in our midst.”
On a day dedicated to Confraternities and Popular Piety, he noted that love for Mary
is one of the characteristics of popular piety that “must be strengthened and well-ordered.”
He invited those present to reflect on “Mary the pilgrim, who follows Jesus the Son,
and goes before all of us in the journey of faith.”
Pope Francis also had greetings
for those Christians who, following the Julian calendar, are celebrating Easter on
Sunday. “I wish to send to these brothers and sisters a special greeting,” he said,
“uniting myself to them with all my heart in proclaiming the joyful news: Christ is
risen!” He prayed especially for those celebrating Easter amongst “trials and sufferings,”
praying that the Holy Spirit would give them “counsel and consolations” and guide
them “in the ways of peace and reconciliation.”
The Pope also spoke about the
beatification on Saturday of Francisca de Paula De Jesus, called “Nha Chica.” He said,
“I unite myself to the joy of the Church in Brazil for this luminous disciple of the
Lord.”
Pope Francis greeted all those present, especially members of the Confraternities,
along with parish groups and families. He noted especially the “Meter” association
on the occasion of the Day for Children who are Victims of Violence. He assured those
who have suffered or who are suffering abuse of his prayers, and forcefully called
on everyone to protect and defend all human persons, but especially children, who
are among the most vulnerable.
In a final greeting, Pope Francis offered encouragement
to those suffering from pulmonary hypertension and to their families.
Below,
please find the complete text of Pope Francis’ remarks before Sunday’s Regina
Caeli:
In this moment of profound communion
in Christ, we feel the spiritual presence of the Virgin Mary alive in our midst –
a maternal presence, a familiar presence, especially for you are take part in the
Confraternities. The love for the Madonna is one of the characteristics of popular
piety, which needs to be strengthened and well oriented. For this reason, I invite
you to meditate on the last chapter of the Constitution of the Second Vatican Council
on the Church, Lumen gentium, which speaks precisely of Mary in the mystery
of Christ and of the Church. There it is said that Mary "advanced in her pilgrimage
of faith" (n. 58). Dear friends, in the Year of Faith I leave you this icon of Mary
the pilgrim, who follows Jesus the Son, and goes before all of us in the journey of
faith.
Today the Eastern Churches that follow the Julian Calendar celebrate
the feast of Easter. I wish to send to these brothers and sisters a special greeting,
uniting myself to them with all my heart in proclaiming the joyful news: Christ is
risen! Gathered in prayer around Mary, we ask God for the gift of the Holy Spirit,
the Paraclete, that He might counsel and comfort all Christians, especially those
who celebrate Easter amongst trials and sufferings, and might guide them in the ways
of reconciliation and peace.
Yesterday, in Brazil, Francisca de Paula De Jesus,
called "Nha Chica," was beatified. Her simple life was totally dedicated to God and
to charity – so much so that she was called “mother of the poor.” I unite myself to
the joy of the Church in Brazil for this luminous disciple of the Lord.
I greet
with affection all the Confraternities present, who came from so many countries. Thank
you for your testimony of faith! And I greet also the parish groups and families,
as well as the grand parade of marching bands and various associations of Schützen
[riflemen] from Germany.
A special greeting goes today to the “METER” Association
on the day for children who are victims of violence. And this gives me the opportunity
to turn my thoughts to those who have suffered and are suffering because of abuse.
I would like to assure them that are present in my prayers, but I would also say emphatically
that we must all commit ourselves with clarity and courage to every human person,
especially children, who are among the most vulnerable, that they might always be
defended and protected.
I also encourage those with pulmonary hypertension
and their families.