At 12 noon today, the sixth Sunday of Easter, Holy Father Leo XIV appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the *Regina Coeli* with the faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

The Holy Father reflects on the commandment of love pronounced by Jesus at the Last Supper and clarifies that the Christian life is not born from an effort to earn God’s love, but from the recognition of knowing we are loved by Him: “it is the love of Jesus that gives birth to love in us.”

These are the Pope’s words when introducing the Marian Prayer:

Words of the Pope

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

In today’s Gospel, we heard some words that Jesus addresses to his disciples during the Last Supper. While transforming the bread and wine into the living sign of his love, Christ says: “if you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15). This statement frees us from a misunderstanding—namely, the idea that we are loved *if* we keep the commandments: our righteousness would then be a condition for God’s love. On the contrary, God’s love is the condition for our righteousness. We truly keep the commandments, according to God’s will, if we recognize His love for us, just as Christ reveals it to the world. Jesus’ words are, therefore, an invitation to a relationship, not blackmail or a questioning of our worth.

That is why the Lord commands us to love one another as He has loved us (cf. Jn 13:34): it is the love of Jesus that gives birth to love in us. Christ himself is the criterion, the rule of true love; He who is forever faithful, pure, and unconditional. He who knows neither “but” nor “maybe,” He who gives himself without wanting to possess, He who gives life without asking for anything in return. Since God loves us first, we too can love; and when we truly love God, we truly love one another. It happens as it does with life: only those who have received it can live, and thus, only those who have been loved can love. The Lord’s commandments are, therefore, a way of life that heals us from false loves; they are a spiritual style, which is a path toward salvation.

Precisely because He loves us, the Lord does not leave us alone in the trials of life: He promises us the Paraclete, that is, the defending Advocate, the “Spirit of Truth” (Jn 14:17). It is a gift that “the world cannot receive” (ibid.), as long as it persists in the evil that oppresses the poor, excludes the weak, and kills the innocent. Meanwhile, those who respond to the love that Jesus has for everyone find in the Holy Spirit an ally who never fails: “You, however, know him,” says Jesus, “because he remains with you and will be in you” (ibid.). Always and everywhere we can then bear witness to God, who is love: this word does not mean an idea of the human mind, but the reality of divine life, through which all things have been created from nothing and redeemed from death.

By offering us true and eternal love, Jesus shares with us his identity as the beloved Son: “I am in my Father, and […] you are in me and I in you” (v. 20). This all-encompassing communion of life refutes the accuser—that is, the adversary of the Paraclete, the spirit contrary to our defender. In fact, while the Holy Spirit is the power of truth, this accuser is the “father of lies” (Jn 8:44), who wants to pit man against God and men against one another: the exact opposite of what Jesus does, saving us from evil and uniting us as a people of brothers and sisters in the Church.

Dear friends, full of gratitude for this gift, let us entrust ourselves to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Love.

Words after the Regina Coeli

Dear brothers and sisters:

I have received with concern the news regarding the increase in violence in the Sahel region, particularly in Chad and Mali, which have been the targets of recent terrorist attacks. I assure my prayers for the victims and my closeness to those who suffer. I desire that all forms of violence cease and encourage every effort in favor of peace and development in that beloved land.

May 10 marks the “Coptic-Catholic Friendship Day.” I send a fraternal greeting to His Holiness Coptic Pope Tawadros II and assure my prayer to all the beloved Coptic Church, with the hope that our journey of friendship leads us to perfect unity in Christ, who called us “friends” (cf. Jn 15:15).

And now I welcome all of you, Romans and pilgrims from various countries!

In particular, I greet the group “Guards of Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” coming from various cities in Italy, and the “Volunteers for Evangelization” linked to the Radio Maria family; as well as the “Komen Italia” volunteer association, committed to the prevention of breast cancer.

I want to express my gratitude for the welcome that characterizes the people of the Canary Islands for allowing the arrival of the cruise ship “Hondius” with hantavirus patients. I am happy to be able to meet you next month during my visit to the Islands.

Today we remember in a special way all mothers. Through the intercession of Mary, mother of Jesus and our mother, let us pray with affection and gratitude for every mom, especially those living in difficult conditions. Thank you! May God bless you!

I wish you all a happy Sunday.