James O'Reilly
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, 2025. The date was April 21. During the Regina Caeli from St. Peter’s Square this Monday, Pope Leo shared words of remembrance for his predecessor.
POPE LEO XIV
With particular affection, in the light of the Risen One, today we remember Pope Francis, who precisely on Easter Monday last year gave his life to the Lord.
This day in Italy is a national holiday. Called “Angel’s Monday” or “Little Easter,” the Church recalls the Gospel in which the angel appeared to the women at Jesus’ tomb to announce the Resurrection. Pope Leo emphasized the urgency of sharing this angelic message.
POPE LEO XIV
Dear friends, how important it is that this Gospel reach especially those who are oppressed by evil, which corrupts history and confuses consciences! I am thinking of peoples tormented by war, of Christians persecuted for their faith, of children deprived of education.
The Regina Caeli replaces the Angelus during the Easter season. It is prayed from Easter Sunday until Pentecost Sunday, a span of seven weeks in which the Church celebrates the Resurrection, changing the penitential tone to one of celebration and joy.
