Pope at Regina Coeli: ‘I think of families suffering from war’

Vatican City, 1 June, 2025 - Pope Leo XIV greeted delegations from 131 countries gathered in the Vatican for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly, and turned his thoughts to families suffering due to war in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other parts of the world.

“May the Mother of God help us to press forward on the path of peace,” he said.

He addressed the faithful gathered for the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer, following the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration for the Jubilee. The Pope expressed particular joy at the presence of children, highlighting the hope they bring, and described families as “small domestic churches where the message of the Gospel is received and passed on.”

Quoting from St. John Paul II’s Letter to Families Gratissimam Sane, he said, “The family has its origin in that same love with which the Creator embraces the created world.” He added, “May faith, hope and love always increase in our families,” offering special thanks to grandparents and the elderly, calling them “a model of genuine faith and an inspiration for the younger generation.”

Marking the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Pope Leo reminded the faithful that many parts of the world were celebrating the feast on this Sunday. “It is a beautiful feast, which makes us look forward to the goal of our earthly journey,” he said.

The Pope also recalled the beatification on Saturday in Poland of Cristofora Klomfass and fourteen other Sisters of the Congregation of St. Catherine Virgin and Martyr. He noted that the sisters were killed in 1945 when the Red Army invaded Poland, and said, “Despite a climate of hatred and of terror against the Catholic faith, they persevered in their service to the sick and orphans.” He commended to their intercession “all those women religious throughout the world who devote themselves generously for the sake of God’s Kingdom.”

Pope Leo also noted that the day marked the 59th World Day of Social Communications, established in 1967 by Pope Paul VI. He expressed his gratitude to “media professionals who, by upholding the ethical quality of their messages, support families in their educational role.”

Courtesy: Vatican News