Pope sings Regina Caeli, pleads ‘never again war’ (photos, video)

From the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica this Sunday at noon, Pope Leo XVI had his first public encounter with the faithful since his election. As is the tradition, he led the midday Marian prayer with crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square. But instead of saying the prayer, as his predecessors generally did, he sang it, using the traditional chant melody.

He also had led the cardinals in chanting it after his first meeting with them on Saturday.

[At the end of the article, see a slideshow of images from the Square.]

At age 69, Pope Leo's strength makes an impression after the progressive weakening of Pope Francis in the later years, and particularly in Francis' last Sunday greeting, less than a month ago on Easter.

Pope Leo approached the microphone smiling and confident, and began: "Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!"

While the Holy Father followed his prepared text, he gave particular emphasis to certain exhortations, and particularly a plea in the footsteps of his last five predecessors: "Never again war!" -- an imploration first launched in those words by Pope Paul VI.

Leo made reference to V-E (Victory in Europe day, when Germany surrendered to the Allied forces), which occurred last week, May 8, 1945 -- 80 years ago this year.

He mourned the “60 million victims” of this tragic conflict, and then, using an expression of Pope Francis, he lamented the current “third world war fought in pieces.”

He went on to refer in particular to the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, and the tensions between India and Pakistan.

The new head of the Catholic Church said he carried in his heart “the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people.”

While Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is ready for negotiations with Kiev as early as May 15, the Pope expressed his hope that “every effort will be made to achieve authentic, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible.”

He also called for the release of “all prisoners” and the return of children “to their families.” For two years, the Holy See has been committed to the repatriation of Ukrainian children taken to Russia, notably through the mediation of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as Pope Francis' envoy.

Pope Leo also shared his “deep sorrow” for the situation in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli military operations are continuing.

“I welcomed with satisfaction the announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan,” Pope Leo XIV said. The two Asian countries, both nuclear powers, announced a ceasefire on Saturday, though by today, both are accusing the other of violating the agreement.

“I hope that through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting agreement can be reached quickly,” said Leo XIV.

The Holy Father entrusted to the Virgin Mary the task of obtaining from “the Lord Jesus” what he called the “miracle of peace.”

At the end of his message, the Pope had a special word for mothers. “Today, in Italy and in other countries, we celebrate Mother's Day,” he said, triggering thunderous applause.

Included in other greetings was a mention of the British and Foreign Bible Study and a group from Dallas, Texas.

Banners in the Square revealed the presence of some of the Pope's flock as a bishop, from the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru.

In his reflection before the Regina Caeli, the Holy Father noted today's liturgical feast of Good Shepherd Sunday.

This led him to speak of prayer for vocations, particularly to the priesthood and religious life, as this Sunday is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

"The Church has such a great need for them!" said the Pope, who as an Augustinian has ample experience working with vocations.

He made reference to the message that Pope Francis had already released for this day, which is dedicated to a jubilee theme: Pilgrims of Hope, the Gift of Life.

Here is a Vatican translation of the full text of Leo's reflection:

~

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday! 

I consider it a gift from God that the first Sunday of my service as Bishop of Rome is Good Shepherd Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Easter. On this Sunday, we always hear proclaimed at Mass a passage from the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John, where Jesus reveals himself as the true Shepherd: who knows and loves his sheep and gives his life for them.

This Sunday also marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which we have celebrated  for the last 62 years. Rome is also hosting the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment today. I greet all these pilgrims with affection and thank them because, with their music and  performances, they enliven the feast of Christ the Good Shepherd: the One who guides the Church with his Holy Spirit. 

In the Gospel, Jesus says that he knows his sheep and that they listen to his voice and follow him (cf. Jn 10:27). Indeed, as Pope Saint Gregory the Great teaches, people “respond to the love of those who love them” (Homily 14:3-6). 

Today brothers and sisters, I therefore have the joy of praying with you and all the People of  God for vocations, especially those to the priesthood and consecrated life. The Church has such a  great need for them! It is important that young men and women on their vocational journey find acceptance, listening, and encouragement in their communities, and that they can look up to credible models of generous dedication to God and to their brothers and sisters.  

Let us take up the invitation that Pope Francis left us in his Message for today: the invitation  to welcome and accompany young people. And let us ask our heavenly Father to assist us in living in service to one another, each according to his or her state of life, shepherds after his own heart (cf. Jer  3:15) capable of helping one another to walk in love and truth. 

May the Virgin Mary, whose entire life was a response to the Lord’s call, always accompany us in following Jesus.