VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV addressed the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the Regina Caeli on Sunday, April 12. This week, Pope Leo reflected on the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, which emphasizes the central role of the Eucharist in sustaining faith.
“This scene invites us to reflect on our own encounter with the risen Jesus”, the Pope said. He invited the faithful to ask themselves “Where can we find him? How can we recognize him? How can we believe?”
Pope Leo XIV explained that faith is not always immediate or easy. “It was not easy for Thomas, and it is not easy for us either”, he said, adding that “faith needs to be nourished and sustained”.
For this reason, he continued, the Church invites the faithful to gather every Sunday, the “eighth day”, to celebrate the Eucharist. “During Mass, we listen to the words of Jesus, we pray, we profess our faith… His Body and Blood nourish us, so that we too may become witnesses of his Resurrection”.
The Pope then went on to emphasize that participation in Sunday Mass is essential, as “the Sunday Eucharist is indispensable to the Christian life”.
Turning then to the witness of the early Church, Pope Leo pointed to the Martyrs of Abitene, who chose death rather than abandon the celebration of the Eucharist. “They replied that they could not live without celebrating the Lord’s Day”, he said.
The Pope explained that it is in the Eucharist that faith grows and is strengthened, and where believers are united as members of one body.
“It is there that our efforts, though limited, are united by God’s grace… for the accomplishment of a single great plan of salvation that embraces all humanity”.
He also stressed the missionary dimension of Mass, noting that the term itself signifies “sending forth”. Christians, he said, are called to bring what they receive into their daily lives, becoming “witnesses of charity and messengers of reconciliation”.
Bringing his address to a close, Pope Leo stressed that “In a world that is in such great need of peace this calls on us more than ever to be steadfast and faithful in our Eucharistic encounter with the risen Lord”.
The pope begins an apostolic journey on Monday, April 13, that will include four African countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
This story was published by Vatican News.
