By AC Wimmer
Rome Newsroom, May 11, 2025 /
06:51 am
“To young people I say: Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and Christ the Lord!” declared Pope Leo XIV to thunderous applause during his first Regina Caeli address, as an extraordinary crowd of jubilant pilgrims packed St. Peter’s Square on Sunday.
The spontaneous call to young people from the first U.S.-born pope echoed the famous words of St. John Paul II in 1978.
On Sunday, Leo’s call — to an estimated crowd of 100,000 people — came during an address that coincided with Good Shepherd Sunday, which the new pontiff called “a gift from God” for his inaugural Sunday as Bishop of Rome.
The sound of marching bands and cheerful pilgrims resonated throughout the Vatican as an exuberant, celebratory atmosphere filled the piazza and the surrounding streets. Participants in the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment, specially welcomed by the pope, provided melodious moments throughout the gathering. Huge crowds poured into the square on a warm Roman spring day, with spontaneous cheers of “Viva il Papa” erupting repeatedly.
“I consider it a gift from God that the first Sunday of my service as Bishop of Rome is Good Shepherd Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Easter,” Pope Leo said, prompting another wave of enthusiastic applause.
“In this Sunday always is proclaimed in the Mass the Gospel of John, chapter ten, in which Jesus reveals himself as the true Shepherd, who knows and loves his sheep and for them gives his life.”
The pope noted that this Sunday also marks the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, a day focused on praying for those called to religious life and priesthood.
“Today, brothers and sisters, I have the joy of praying with you and all the People of God for vocations, especially those to the priesthood and religious life. The Church has such a great need for them!” the pope said.
Leo XIV emphasized the importance of young people finding “acceptance, listening, and encouragement in their vocational journey” within Catholic communities and having “credible models of generous dedication to God and to their brothers and sisters.”
The pope specifically acknowledged the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment being hosted in Rome on Sunday. “I greet with affection all these pilgrims and thank them because, with their music and their performances, they enliven the feast of Christ the Good Shepherd,” he said, as musical groups in the square responded with brief, spirited performances.
Referencing Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Leo encouraged Catholics to welcome and accompany young people discerning their calling.
“Let us ask our heavenly Father to assist us in living in service to one another, each according to his or her state of life, shepherds after his own heart, capable of helping one another to walk in love and truth,” he said.
In a particularly animated moment, the pope addressed young people directly: “To young people I say: Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and Christ the Lord!” The crowd responded with sustained applause.
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
The Regina Caeli prayer replaces the Angelus during the Easter season. Pope Leo invoked the Virgin Mary, “whose entire life was a response to the Lord’s call,” to accompany all in following Jesus. He masterfully sang the Regina Caeli in mellifluous Latin before imparting his blessing. The crowd erupted in shouts of “Viva il Papa!”
The pontiff then spoke solemnly about the tragedy of the Second World War, which ended on May 8, 1945. “We are now confronting a third world war piecemeal as Pope Francis reminded us,” he said. “As Pope Paul VI said: War no more!”
“I hold close to my heart the suffering of the poor people in Ukraine, that they might find a true and lasting peace,” he continued. He also called for an end to the violence in Gaza and prayed for all those taken hostage to be released. “And I rejoice at the recent peace made between India and Pakistan.” He said he hoped for a lasting accord.
Pope Leo greeted “with affection all of you, those from Rome and the pilgrims from various countries,” mentioning countries and groups by name to cheers and applause from the square.
Leo also acknowledged that Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries. “I send a special greeting to all mothers for all they give to us,” he said, prompting warm applause.
The pope thanked everyone and wished everyone a “Buona Domenica” and a Happy Sunday. He spent a few moments gratefully smiling and acknowledging the ecstatic, warm reception before departing.
Following the Regina Caeli, the pope is scheduled to celebrate Mass with the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel and greet journalists who covered the conclave on Monday.
Morning Mass near the tomb of St. Peter
Earlier Sunday morning, Pope Leo celebrated Mass at the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, at the altar near the tomb of St. Peter. He concelebrated with the Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine, Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton. After Mass, the Holy Father paused to pray at the tombs of his predecessors and visited the niche of the Pallia. These woolen stoles symbolize the unity between the pope and metropolitan archbishops worldwide.
This morning, the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV went to the Vatican Grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica to celebrate Holy Mass at the altar near the tomb of Peter. His Holiness concelebrated with the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton. At the end… pic.twitter.com/2RGKmtus91
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) May 11, 2025
Last updated on May 11 with further images and details.
AC Wimmer (刘威猛) is the News Editor for Europe and Asia at EWTN News. The multilingual Australian, raised in Bavaria and South Africa, served as editor-in-chief of several news media outlets. A graduate in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, the veteran journalist is a former Honorary Research Fellow in Communications at his alma mater and served on the Board of Caritas in Munich.
