Vatican City - Pope Francis expressed his appreciation for women who have given birth to children and entrusted them to the protection of Our Lady.

The Holy Father encouraged everyone to gratefully recall their mothers on Sunday.

Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries on the second Sunday in May.

“Let us recall with gratitude and affection all mothers, those who are still with us and those who have gone to Heaven,” said the Pope. “Let us entrust them to Mary, the mother of Jesus.”

And Pope Francis called for a round of applause for all mothers from everyone gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Regina Coeli prayer.