Pope

Pope Leo: Lord's Ascension draws us to Father, builds communion and peace

At the Regina Caeli on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the Lord's Ascension, noting that Christ’s entire life is a movement of ascent and that His humanity embraces and involves the whole world, elevating and redeeming us.

Vatican News

Addressing around 20,000 pilgrims and visitors in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV observed that in many countries throughout the world, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated today.

Reflecting on this Solemnity, the Pope said that Jesus' being lifted up from the earth and ascending toward heaven may make us think this Mystery occurred in a distant pass, yet the reality is very current since "we are united to Jesus as the members of one body united to the head" as the Lord "draws us with him toward full communion with the Father."

Read the full text of the Pope's address before and after leading the Regina Caeli prayer

Movement of ascent

The Pope explained that Christ’s entire life is "a movement of ascent" and that through His humanity the Lord "embraces and involves the whole world, elevating and redeeming human beings from their sinful condition."

As the Preface I of Easter notes, he said the Lord "thus brings light, forgiveness and hope where previously there was darkness, injustice and desperation, in order that men and women may attain the definitive Easter victory, in which the Son of God, by dying 'has destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life.'”

Drawn toward heavenly glory

The Pope said the Ascension speaks to us of "a living bond" that draws us as well "toward heavenly glory, already elevating and expanding our horizon in this life and directing our way of thinking, feeling, and acting more closely to the measure of God’s heart."

In this path of ascent, he said, we recognize the way through Jesus, who gave us His life, example, and teachings. 

The Pope said this path of ascent toward heaven can be seen reflected in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the lives of the saints, "those whom the Church offers as universal role models."

He recalled that Pope Francis often said we can see this example in our brothers and sisters, the 'saints next door', "fathers, mothers, grandparents, people of every age and condition, who, with joy and commitment, make the effort to live sincerely according to the Gospel."

Fruits of communion and peace

With the support and prayers of one another, "we too can learn to ascend day by day toward heaven," as Saint Paul said, focusing on whatever is true, just and loveable, the Pope concluded.

The divine life received in Baptism, he said, "constantly draws us to the heights, toward the Father, can grow in and around us, and spread the precious fruits of communion and peace in the world."

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17 May 2026, 12:20

What is the Regina Caeli?

The antiphon Regina Caeli (“Queen of Heaven”) is one of four traditional Marian antiphons, the others being Alma Redemptoris Mater, Ave Regina Caelorum, and Salve Regina.

It was Pope Benedict XIV who, in 1742, enjoined the recitation of the Regina Caeli in place of the Angelus during Eastertide, that is, from Easter Sunday to the end of Pentecost. It is recited standing as a sign of Christ’s victory over death.

Like the Angelus, the Regina Caeli is said three times a day, at dawn, at noon, and at dusk, in order to consecrate the day to God and the Virgin Mary.

This ancient antiphon arose, according to a pious tradition, in the 6th century; it is attested in documentary sources from the first half of the 13th century, when it was inserted in the Franciscan breviary. It is composed of four short verses, each ending with an “alleluia.” With the Regina Caeli, the faithful turn to Mary, the Queen of Heaven, to rejoice with her at the Resurrection of Christ.

At the Regina Caeli on Easter Monday of 2015, Pope Francis spoke about the spiritual dispositions that should animate the faithful as they recite this Marian prayer:

“In this prayer, expressed by the Alleluia, we turn to Mary inviting her to rejoice, because the One whom she carried in her womb is Risen as He promised, and we entrust ourselves to her intercession. In fact, our joy is a reflection of Mary’s joy, for it is she who guarded and guards with faith the events of Jesus. Let us therefore recite this prayer with the emotion of children who are happy because their mother is happy.”

Latest Angelus / Regina Caeli

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Pray with the Pope

Regina Coeli

Regina coeli, laetare, alleluia.
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

Oremus:

Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui Domini nostri Iesu Christi mundum laetificare dignatus es, praesta, quaesumus, ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae.
Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Regina Caeli 

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,
has risen as he said, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray

O God, who through the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, did vouchsafe to give joy to the world; grant, we beseech you, that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.