During the Regina Caeli prayer in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo addressed the faithful, emphasizing the transformative power of faith in light of the Resurrection. The Pope stated that faith "frees our hearts from the anxiety of having and achieving" and called upon Christians to reveal that fraternity and peace are central to their calling.
In his reflection for the fifth Sunday of Easter, Pope Leo highlighted how Jesus' words resonate profoundly after the Resurrection, as they once did for the early Church. He noted that, much like it once troubled the disciples, the message that Christ shared not only warms hearts but instills hope. The Pope quoted the Gospel of the Last Supper, referencing Christ’s assurance: "I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come back and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be" (John 14:3).
Pope Leo contrasted the existing world order—characterized by exclusion and competition—with the values of the Kingdom of God, where, according to him, the focus shifts from exclusive places to the inclusivity embodied in the risen Christ. He stated, "In the old world in which we are still journeying, what attracts attention are exclusive places. In the new world into which the risen One leads us, however, what is most valuable is within everyone’s reach." He conveyed the need for every person to be recognized in their uniqueness and emphasized that, in God, everyone is fully themselves.
Furthermore, the Pope urged his audience to trust in Christ by echoing the words, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me" (John 14:1). He explained that true faith liberates individuals from societal pressures and the illusion of prestige. The Pope remarked that human dignity stems from being a part of God's creation, asserting that "each person already has infinite worth in the mystery of God, which is the only true reality."
In his concluding remarks, Pope Leo encouraged Christians to act with fraternal love, suggesting that such love allows each individual to discover their true identity. He affirmed the importance of preparing for heaven on earth and ended his message by entrusting it to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, hoping that “every Christian community may be a home open to all and attentive to each person.”
