Pope Francis died on April 21 last year; that date was Easter Monday in 2025. His last blessing on Easter Day is engraved in the hearts of those who saw it.
His successor, Pope Leo XIV, brought warm applause from the crowd in St. Peter's when he remembered Francis before chanting the midday Regina Caeli.
Pope Leo's strong singing voice leading the Regina Caeli also brought to mind his first time leading the prayer as pope, when the faithful delighted in him chanting it instead of reciting it (see video below).
To applause from the crowd, Pope Leo said today:
With particular affection, in the light of the risen Lord, we remember today Pope Francis, who, on Easter Monday of last year, returned to the Lord. As we recall his profound witness of faith and love, let us pray together to the Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom, that we may become ever more radiant heralds of the truth.
Leo's prayer to Our Lady on this Easter Monday reflected the Gospel reading, where we hear the contrasting reports about Easter -- the women who got the news of the Resurrection from the angel, and shared it, versus the soldiers who are bribed to say Christ's body was stolen.
Take a moment to pray for Pope Francis while remembering his final blessing with the images below:
