Pope Leo XIV at noon today, Sunday, May 11, appeared on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to pray the noon Regina Caeli (“Queen of Heaven”) prayer (Photo: Robert Moynihan)

This afternoon, May 11, after the Regina Caeli prayer, the seals were removed from the doors of the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, which were set in place on April 21, the day Pope Francis died. The rooms will now be made ready for Pope Leo to move there and reside there during his pontificate. (Photo: VATICAN MEDIA, Divisione Foto)

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass this morning, Sunday, May 11, near the tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican Grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica. He also visited and prayed before the tombs of several of his predecessors… Here is a brief video of moments in the Sunday morning Mass, which was attended also by his brother, John, who flew to Rome from Chicago…

Pope Leo XIV prays at the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI this morning

Letter #44, 2025, Sunday, May 11: First Sunday

Three days ago, on Thursday, May 8, the papal conclave ended with white smoke at 6:07 in the evening.

An hour later, Pope Leo XIV, 69, stepped onto the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica — the first Pope from the United States of America.

He was elected on the 4th ballot, receiving, it is being reported in Italy, more than 100 votes from the 133 voting cardinals.

This morning, Pope Leo celebrated Mass at the tomb of St. Peter, then went to the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to pray and sing the Regina Caeli (“Queen of Heaven”) hymn, which is prayed instead of the Angelus from Easter until the Saturday after Pentecost.

In his noon remarks (link), Leo spoke passionately for peace in the world, urging all nations to beware of a developing “peacemeal World War III” and crying out “Never again war!”

Pope Leo ended by wishing a “Happy Mother’s Day” to all mothers everywhere.

Below is the full text of what Pope Leo said today in his first Regina Caeli message.

—RM

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POPE LEO XIV

REGINA CAELI

Loggia of the Blessings of St. Peter’s Basilica

Sunday, 11 May 2025

(link)

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

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.

On this Sunday, we always hear proclaimed at Mass a passage from the 10th chapter from the Gospel of John, where Jesus reveals himself as the true Shepherd: who knows and loves his sheep and gives his life for them.

This Sunday also marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which we have celebrated for the last 62 years.

Rome is also hosting the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment today. I greet all these pilgrims with affection and thank them because, with their music and performances, they enliven the feast of Christ the Good Shepherd: the One who guides the Church with his Holy Spirit.

In the Gospel, Jesus says that he knows his sheep and that they listen to his voice and follow him (cf. Jn 10:27).

Indeed, as Pope Saint Gregory the Great teaches, people “respond to the love of those who love them” (Homily 14:3-6).

Today brothers and sisters, I therefore have the joy of praying with you and all the People of God for vocations, especially those to the priesthood and consecrated life.

The Church has such a great need for them!

It is important that young men and women on their vocational journey find acceptance, listening and encouragement in their communities, and that they can look up to credible models of generous dedication to God and to their brothers and sisters.

Let us take up the invitation that Pope Francis left us in his Message for today: the invitation to welcome and accompany young people.

And 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 (cf. Jer 3:15) capable of helping one another to walk in love and truth.

And to young people, I say: “Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and of Christ the Lord!”

May the Virgin Mary, whose entire life was a response to the Lord’s call, always accompany us in following Jesus.

***

The Regina Caeli prayer

The new Pope then prayed the Regina Caeli.

But he did not just recite the prayer… he sang it.

Here is a video link where you can hear Pope Leo sing the hymn. (He starts to sing at 35 seconds into the video.)

One commenter wrote on YouTube: “I love that he sung the Regina Coeli, rather than merely recite it. It sounds beautiful!!!”

Here are the words of the hymn in Latin, then in English translation:

REGINA CÆLI

LATIN

(V.)

Regina cæli lætare.

Alleluia.

(R.)

Quia quem meruisti portare.

Alleluia.

(V.)

Resurrexit sicut dixit.

Alleluia.

(R.)

Ora pro nobis Deum.

Alleluia.

(V.)

Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria.

Alleluia.

(R.)

Quia surrexit Dominus vere.

Alleluia.

†

Oremus

†

Deus,

qui per Resurrectionem

Filii tui Domini nostri

Iesu Christi

mundum lætificare dignatus es:

præsta quæsumus,

ut per eius Genitricem

Virginem Mariam

perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ.

Per eundem

Christum Dominum nostrum.

Amen.

ENGLISH

(V.)

Rejoice, O Queen of Heaven.

Alleluia.

(R.)

For He Whom thou wast made worthy to bear,

Alleluia.

(V.)

Hath risen, as He said.

Alleluia.

(R.)

Pray for us to God.

Alleluia.

(V.)

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary,

Alleluia

(R.)

For the Lord hath risen indeed.

Alleluia.

†

Let us pray

†

O God,

Who,

through the Resurrection

of Thy Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ,

hast vouchsaved

to make glad the whole world,

grant us,

we beseech Thee,

that through the intercession

of the Virgin Mary,

His Mother,

we may attain the joys

of eternal life.

Through the same

Christ our Lord.

Amen.

†

***

After the Regina Caeli

Then, Pope Leo made these further remarks:

Remarks of Pope Leo at noon today in St. Peter’s Square

May 11, 2025

Dear brothers and sisters,

The immense tragedy of the Second World War ended 80 years ago, on 8 May, after having claimed 60 million victims.

In today’s dramatic scenario of a piecemeal third world war, as Pope Francis stated many times, I too address the world’s leaders, repeating the ever-timely appeal: “Never again war!”

I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people.

May everything possible be done to reach an authentic, just and lasting peace, as soon as possible.

Let all the prisoners be freed and the children return to their own families.

I am deeply saddened by what is happening in the Gaza Strip: may there be an immediate ceasefire!

Let humanitarian aid be provided to the stricken civil population, and let all the hostages be freed.

On the other hand, I have welcomed with satisfaction the announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and I hope that through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting accord may be reached soon.

But how many other conflicts there are in the world! I entrust this heartfelt appeal to the Queen of Peace, so that she may present it to the Lord Jesus to obtain for us the miracle of peace.

And now I affectionately greet you all, Romans and pilgrims from various countries.

I greet the members of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the group of doctors from Granada (Spain), the faithful of Malta, Panama, Dallas (Texas), Valladolid, Torrelodones (Madrid), Montesilvano, and Cinisi (Palermo).

I greet the participants in the “Let’s choose life” demonstration, the young people of the Fraternity of Blessed Mary Immaculate and Saint Francis of Assisi, of Reggio Emilia.

Today in Italy and in other countries we celebrate Mother’s Day.

I send a fond greeting to all mothers, with a prayer for them, and for those who are already in Heaven.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers!

Thank you all, a happy Sunday to everyone!

[End, Pope Leo’s Regina Caeli remarks today, May 11]

Sunday Morning, May 11, Mass at the Tomb of St. Peter (link)

Pope at Mass: Listen without judging

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at the tomb of Saint Peter and prays by the niche of the Pallia

By Vatican News

On Sunday morning, Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican Grottoes to celebrate Holy Mass at the altar near the tomb of Saint Peter.

According to a statement by the Holy See Press Office, the Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton, Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.

Following the Mass, Pope Leo XIV spent time in silent prayer at the tombs of his predecessors.

He also paused before the niche of the Pallia, the woolen stoles that symbolise the unity between the Pope and metropolitan archbishops across the world.

Giving our lives to Christ

In his homily for what he called a particularly “significant” Sunday, the Pope—speaking first in English, then in Italian—reflected on the Gospel of the Good Shepherd.

As he begins his new Petrine ministry, he said, he looked to the example of Jesus, “whom we depend on.”

On this Mother’s Day, which he made a point of acknowledging, Pope Leo said that “one of the most wonderful expressions of the love of God is the love that is poured out by mothers, especially to their children and grandchildren.”

Searching vocations together

Addressing the theme of vocations — at the heart of today’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations — Pope Leo recalled that the topic featured prominently during the recent meetings of the cardinals, both before and after his election.

“All of us,” he said, “must search together. First and foremost, by giving [a] good example in our lives, with joy, living the joy of the Gospel, not discouraging others, but rather looking for ways to encourage young people to hear the voice of the Lord and to follow it and to serve in the Church.”

The power of listening

Pope Leo also spoke of the universal call to proclaim the Gospel, urging the faithful: “Take heart! Don’t be afraid!”

Acknowledging that the mission sometimes involves sacrifice, he emphasized how essential it is to listen — to God’s Word and to one another.

“Listening is what allows us to enter into true dialogue,” he said, calling it the foundation for building bridges, something he has emphasized from the start of his pontificate.

“We have to know how to listen — not to judge, not to shut doors as if we hold all the truth and no one else has anything to offer,” the Pope said.

From this posture of humility, he added, will come greater clarity about where the Lord is calling us.

Seals Removed from the Door of the Papal Apartment

The reopening of the papal apartment took place following the Regina Caeli in the presence of the Camerlengo, Cardinal Farrell; the Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin; the Substitute, Archbishop Peña Parra; the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Gallagher; and the Regent of the Papal Household, Archbishop Sapienza.

By Vatican News

May 11, 2025

At the conclusion of the Regina Caeli prayer from the Loggia of the Blessings on 11 May, Pope Leo XIV had the papal apartment of the Apostolic Palace reopened with the removal of the seals that had been placed there during the afternoon of 21 April following the death of Pope Francis.

The reopening took place in the presence of the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell; the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin; the Substitute for General Affairs, Archbishop Peña Parra; the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher; and the Prefect of the Pontifical Household; Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza.

[Note: It is now expected that the Pope will move soon to the Apostolic Palace and live there, and not in the Domus Santa Marta, where Pope Francis chose to live for the 12 years of his pontificate. Pope Leo XIV is currently residing in the apartment which has been his residence as a cardinal in Rome, in the Palace of the Holy Office.]