At the end of the Holy Mass on the Second Sunday of Easter, Feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated privately in the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia, the Holy Father Francis led the recitation of the Regina Caeli.

These are the Pope’s words of introduction to the Marian prayer:

Before the Regina Caeli

Dear brothers and sisters

On this Second Sunday of Easter, it was meaningful to celebrate the Eucharist here, in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Saxony, which St John Paul II wanted to be the Shrine of Divine Mercy. The Christian response to the storms of life and history cannot but be mercy: compassionate love among us and toward everyone, especially toward those who suffer, who have more difficulties, and are more abandoned… Not devotionalism, or mere assistance, but com-passion, that comes from the heart. Divine Mercy comes from the Heart of Christ, of the Risen Christ. It flows from the wound in His side that is always open, open for us, who are always in need of pardon and comfort. May Christian mercy also inspire a just sharing among the nations and their institutions, to conform the current crisis in the spirit of solidarity.

I extend greetings to our brothers and sisters who belong to the Oriental Churches, who today celebrate the Feast of Easter. Together, let us proclaim: “The Lord is truly risen!” (Lk 24:34). Above all, at this moment of trial, let us feel what a great gift and hope it is that comes from being risen with Christ! In particular, I rejoice with the Eastern Catholic communities who, for ecumenical reasons, celebrate Easter together with the Orthodox. May this fraternity be of comfort in those places where Christians are a small minority.

With Paschal joy, let us turn now to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy.