By Currents News
Pope Leo XIV appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace for the first time on May 26 to recite the Regina Coeli prayer. Until now, his previous two Regina Coeli prayers had been held in different locations at the Vatican.
The first was on the central corridor of St. Peter’s Basilica on May 11, since the palace was still sealed due to the “sede vacante,” the period of time in the Catholic Church when the pope’s office is unoccupied, typically after his death or resignation, until a new Holy Father is elected.
In fact, Pope Leo removed the seals of the palace immediately following the celebration of his first papal Regina Coeli.
The second was in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, following the Mass marking the start of his pontificate.
During the May 26 Regina Coeli, Pope Leo XIV once again remembered his predecessor, and marked the tenth anniversary of one of the key documents of Pope Francis’ pontificate.
“Ten years ago, Pope Francis the Encyclical Letter “Laudato Si’,” devoted to care for our common home,” he told the crowd gathered in the square. “It has had an extraordinary impact, inspiring countless initiatives and teaching everyone to listen to the twofold cry of the Earth and of the poor.”
The pope also reminded the crowd that the day before, May 24, was The Day of Prayer for the Church in China. It was instituted for Chinese Catholics by Pope Benedict XVI, and is held every May 24, on the feast of Mary Help of Christians.