Pope Francis
By Vatican News staff writer
May 22 2023
At the Regina Coeli on Ascension Sunday, Pope Francis recalls how on this feast, Jesus brought our humanity into heaven, opening the way for us to follow so that we might live forever in paradise as children of the Father.
Addressing the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the Regina Coeli prayer on this Sunday marking the Ascension of the Lord in Italy and many other countries around the world, Pope Francis reflected on two key aspects of this feast: why we celebrate Jesus’ departure from the earth, and what He does now in heaven.
Humanity in heaven
Remarking how “something new and beautiful happened,” the Pope explained that with the Ascension, Jesus brought our humanity into heaven, as the humanity He assumed on earth “ascended into God” where it remains forever.
The Pope explained that with Jesus who has returned to the Father with our humanity, heaven is already a bit like our own place. Jesus has opened the way for us.
Always with us
The second aspect the Pope focused on how Jesus in heaven is always there for us before the Father, continually showing our humanity to Him – the wounds He suffered for us. Jesus is our advocate before the Father, he explained, and therefore always with us “to the end of the age” to make intercession for us.
In concluson, the Pope said our faith can help us not to lose hope or get discouraged, as Jesus intercedes for us before the Father.
