At the conclusion of this morning’s Jubilee Mass for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Leo XIV delivered the Regina Caeli with a message of gratitude and encouragement to the global faithful. Addressing delegations from 131 countries, the Pope expressed joy at the presence of so many children, calling them “a sign of restored hope,” and praised families as “small domestic churches” that hand down the Gospel.

He offered a special tribute to grandparents and the elderly, describing them as “models of genuine faith” and “inspiration for the younger generation.”

The Pope also marked the Solemnity of the Ascension, pointing to it as a reminder of the “goal of our earthly journey.” He highlighted the beatification in Poland of Cristofora Klomfass and 14 martyred Sisters of St. Catherine, honoring their courage in the face of religious persecution.

On World Communications Day, Pope Leo thanked media professionals for supporting families through ethical journalism, and concluded with a Marian prayer for families enduring the suffering of war in the Middle East, Ukraine, and beyond.

“May the Mother of God help us to press forward together on the path of peace,” he said.

REGINA CAELI

“At the conclusion of this Eucharistic celebration, I offer a cordial greeting to all those participating in the Jubilee for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly! You have gathered here from every part of the world, with delegations from 131 countries.

I am particularly happy to welcome so many children, who restore our hope! I greet all the families, which are small domestic churches where the message of the Gospel is received and passed on. The family, Saint John Paul II said, “has its origin in that same love with which the Creator embraces the created world” (Letter to Families Gratissimam Sane, 2).  May faith, hope and love always increase in our families. In a special way, I greet grandparents and the elderly, you are models of genuine faith and an inspiration for the younger generation. Thank you for coming!

I extend my greeting to all the pilgrims present, especially those from the Diocese of Mondovì, in Piedmont.

Today in Italy, and in many parts of the world, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is being celebrated. It is a beautiful feast, which makes us look forward to the goal of our earthly journey. In this regard, I would note that yesterday, in Braniewo, Poland, Cristofora Klomfass and fourteen other Sisters of the Congregation of Saint Catherine Virgin and Martyr, were beatified; they were killed in 1945 when the Red Army invaded Poland. Despite a climate of hatred and of terror against the Catholic faith, they persevered in their service to the sick and orphans. Let us commend to the intercession of the new Blessed Martyrs all those women religious throughout the world who devote themselves generously for the sake of God’s Kingdom.

I also recall that today is World Communications Day, and I thank media professionals who, by ensuring the ethical quality of their messages, help families in their educational task.

May the Virgin Mary bless families everywhere and sustain them in their trials. I think especially of those families suffering due to war in the Middle East, in Ukraine and in other parts of the world.  May the Mother of God help us to press forward together on the path of peace.”