Pope Leo XIV sings his first regina Coeli in Latin and exclaims: Don’t be afraid!

On the Sunday of the Good Shepherd, Pope Leo XIV first directed the prayer of the Regina Coeli From the central balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro. The Pontiff recited the Mariana Prayer in Latin and encouraged thousands of young people: Don’t be afraid!

“I tell the young people: do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and of Christ the Lord!” Exclaimed the Pontiff before the 100,000 people gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro, according to the data of the Italian authorities.

This first Regina Coeli De Leo XIV also coincided with the jubilee of the bands and the popular show, so an hour before the appearance of the Holy Father the Plaza de San Pedro filled with music and color with bands arriving from different countries.

At 12:00 (Rome time) Pope Leo XIV looked out by the central lodge of the Vatican Basilica before the strong applause and crowds of the crowd.

Before the prayer, the pontiff pointed out as “a gift of God” that the first Sunday of his service as a bishop of Rome is that of the good shepherd, the fourth time of Easter, in whose Gospel of St. John, Jesus reveals himself as the true pastor “who knows, loves and gives life for his sheep.”

He also indicated that this day coincides with another important anniversary: ​​the 62 years of the celebration of the World Prayer Day for Vocations. In addition, he recalled the jubilee of the musical bands and the popular shows that Rome host this weekend.

“I greet with affection to all the pilgrims and thank you because with their music and their representations they rejoice the party, the feast of Christ Good Shepherd: yes, it is he who guides the Church through his Holy Spirit,” he said.

When reflecting on the gospel of the day (Jn 10,27), affirmed that Jesus “knows his sheep, and that they They listen His voice and They continue. ”

“I have the joy of praying with you and with all the people of God for vocations, especially the priesthood and religious life. The Church needs them!” He exclaimed.

He also pointed out the importance of young people “finding in our communities reception, listen, stimulus In their vocational path, and that they can count on credible models of generous delivery to God and their brothers. ”

In this sense, he urged the faithful to follow the invitation of Pope Francis during the day for vocations and “welcome and accompany young people.”

“Let’s pray to the Heavenly Father, being, for each other, each according to their state, shepherds” according to his heart “(cf. Jr. 3,15), capable of helping us to walk in love and truth,” he said below.

Finally, he requested the intercession of the Virgin Mary, “whose life was a response to the call of the Lord, always accompany us in the follow -up of Jesus.”

Leo XIV asks for the end of wars in Gaza and Ukraine

After the prayer of Regina Coeli, the Holy Father called to end the conflicts that continue to bleed Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.

He indicated that after the tragic World War II that left more than 60 million dead, today the world faces another World War to pieces, “as Pope Francis often claimed.”

“Never again war!” Exclaimed Leo XIV. “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said, and asked that all prisoners be released and that children can return to their homes.

“It causes me a lot of pain that is happening in the Gaza Strip. That the fire immediately ceases and that humanitarian aid is taken to the exhausted civilian population and that all the prisoners are released,” added León XIV, who at the same time expressed his satisfaction for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Finally, the Holy Father recalled that this Sunday in Italy and many countries are celebrated on Mother’s Day. “I send greetings to all mothers with a prayer for them and also for those who are already in heaven,” he said.