Pope: On the Ascension of Jesus our flesh and his wounds rise to heaven
At the Regina Caeli prayer, Francis renewed his appeal for Sudan and the victims of wars; "let us not get used to conflicts," he said. On World Communications Day, journalists are invited to carry out their work "in the service of truth". The pope also expressed his closeness to the people of flood-stricken Emilia-Romagna.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis spoke to the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for the Regina Caeli prayer on the Solemnity of the Ascension, which is celebrated today in Italy and in other countries.
In his address, the pontiff said, “I like to think that Jesus prays like this in front of the Father – making him see his wounds.”
Speaking about today’s solemnity, Francis asked: “Why celebrate Jesus’s departure from the earth? It would seem that his departure would be a sad moment, not exactly something to rejoice over! [. . .] Second question: What does Jesus do now in heaven?”
Why is it important for him to be there. “Because with the Ascension, something new and beautiful happened: Jesus brought our humanity, our flesh, into heaven – this is the first time – that is, he brought it in God. That humanity that he had assumed on earth did not remain here. [. . .] He will be there in God.” Today represents a sort of ““heaven’s conquest”.
But, above all. what does Jesus do in heaven? “He is there for us before the Father, continually showing our humanity to him – showing him his wounds. [. . .] In a word, Jesus intercedes. He is in a better ‘place’, before his Father and ours, to intercede on our behalf.”
“Before the Father, there is someone who makes him see his wounds and intercedes. May the Queen of heaven help us to intercede with the power of prayer.”
At the end of the Marian prayer, the pope spoke about the violence that has torn Sudan apart for the last month or so, appealing to the international community to spare no effort to get the parties to lay down their weapons.
"Let's not get used to conflicts and violence,” the pope said; “let us not get used to war. Let us stand by the martyred people of Ukraine."
Today the Church also marks World Communications Day, and so Francis addressed his greeting to journalists and communications workers. "I hope that your work will always be in the service of truth and the common good," he told them.
Finally, citing Laudato Si' Week, which is dedicated to the care of creation, the pope expressed again his closeness to the people of Emilia-Romagna. "These floods remind us of the need to bring together expertise and calamities, to care for our common home".
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