Pope Francis: Julian Easter greetings at Regina coeli
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis offered Easter greetings to all Christians who follow the Julian calendar, and who are celebrating the great feast of the Resurrection this Sunday. “Christós anésti!” said Pope Francis, speaking to the faithful following the Regina coeli prayer – “The LORD is Risen!” The Holy Father went on to say, “Let us greet all our brethren of the East on this their Easter Sunday,” inviting the gathered faithful to do so with a round of applause.
Ahead of the traditional Eastertide prayer of Marian devotion, the Holy Father focused on the Gospel reading of the day, which tells the story of Thomas the Apostle, who doubted the resurrection until he saw the Risen Lord and probed His wounds. “[Thomas] was able to touch the Paschal mystery that fully manifests the salvific love of God, rich in mercy,” said Pope Francis.
The Year of Mercy, the extraordinary Jubilee Year set to open this coming December 8th, was another major focus of Pope Francis’ remark. “The Year of Mercy,” he said, “is to be an intense and extended time in which to welcome and embrace the immense riches of God’s merciful love.”