Pope Francis at Regina coeli: God bless mothers, everywhere
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis offered Mother’s Day greetings to all mothers, everywhere, on Sunday. “Today in many countries celebrate Mother’s Day,” he said, addressing the great crowd of pilgrims and tourists gathered beneath the window of the Papal apartments that looks down on St. Peter’s Square to pray the Regina coeli with him, “we remember with gratitude and affection all mothers.”
Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis went on to ask a round of applause for all mothers present in the Square. “That applause embraces all mothers, all our dear mothers: those who live with us physically, but also those who live with us spiritually. The Lord bless them all, and may the Mother of God, to whom this month is dedicated, watch over them all.”
Ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion at Eastertide, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel reading of the day, drawn from the 15th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you,” he said, quoting the Gospel text, which goes on to say, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
“Therefore,” said Pope Francis, “this Word of the Lord calls us to love each other, to desire the good for one another, even if we do not always understand each other, even if we do not always geta long – but it is preciesly there, that we see what Christian love is.”