Vatican City: During the Regina Caeli prayer in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of hope and encouragement, urging Christians to live in a way that reflects heaven on earth through fraternity and peace. Addressing pilgrims gathered for the fifth Sunday of Easter, Pope said that faith should free people from anxiety and help them rediscover their true dignity in God.
Reflecting on the Gospel account of the Last Supper, Pope explained that the words of Jesus take on deeper meaning when seen in the light of the Resurrection. He said that what once confused or troubled the disciples later became a source of comfort and strength. According to him, the Resurrection helped the early followers of Christ understand Jesus’ promise more clearly and filled them with hope.
Quoting the Gospel of John, Pope recalled Jesus’ assurance that he goes to prepare a place for his followers and will return to take them with him. He described this promise as an invitation to trust in a future that goes beyond death and to believe in the victory of life over death.
Pope also spoke about the contrast between the values of the world and those of the Kingdom of God. He said that the world often focuses on competition, exclusion and the search for status. In contrast, the Kingdom of God is marked by openness and inclusion, where what truly matters is available to everyone. In this vision, each person is valued for who they are, and no one is forgotten or overlooked.
He emphasized that human beings often spend their lives seeking recognition and attention, sometimes at great cost. Yet, he said, true identity and worth do not come from social status or achievements but from God. Even in the face of death, which seems to erase a person’s memory, the Pope reminded the faithful that in God each person remains unique and fully known.
Turning to the theme of faith, Pope encouraged people not to let their hearts be troubled. He said that faith in God brings freedom from the constant pressure to achieve or possess more. It also frees people from the illusion that they must earn their value through success or recognition. Instead, he said, every person already has infinite worth because they are part of God’s plan.
Pope then invited Christians to live out this faith in practical ways by building communities rooted in love and unity. He said believers are called to show the world that fraternity and peace are not just ideals but a real way of life. By doing so, they can offer a glimpse of heaven here on earth.
He explained that in a community shaped by love, each person can discover their true identity. Surrounded by others who are treated as brothers and sisters, individuals come to understand that they are both unique and deeply connected to others.
At the end of his address, Pope entrusted this message to the care of the Virgin Mary, asking her to pray for all Christian communities. He expressed hope that every community would become a welcoming home, open to all and attentive to each person’s needs.
The Regina Caeli gathering brought together thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square, many of whom listened attentively as the Pope shared his reflections. His message offered a reminder that even in a world marked by uncertainty and competition, faith can lead to peace, freedom and a deeper sense of belonging.