Pope returns to his window overlooking the Square for Regina Coeli

By Vatican News staff writer

Sunday, 18 April, will see Pope Francis,  once again, after various closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, reappearing at the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, to lead the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer with the faithful gathered in the Square.

The fluctuating course of the pandemic and the precautionary measures taken by the Italian government to curb the spread of the virus, have resulted in the Pope connecting in many occasions with the faithful exclusively through the media, from the Library of the Apostolic Palace.

In recent weeks, the window stayed closed on 21 March and on 5 April, while the Pope chose to recite the Angelus at the conclusion of Palm Sunday Mass on 28 March inside St. Peter's Basilica, and last Sunday's Regina Caeli in the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia, on the Feast of Divine Mercy.

Last year's first lockdown kept the faithful away from Bernini's colonnade between 8 March and 24 May, with the Pope leading Sunday prayers via live streaming from the Library of the Apostolic Palace. After that, Francis reappeared at the window for a few months until 20 December, when a new closure was ordered until 7 February. This was followed by a brief reopening until 14 March and finally, yet another closure until 21 March.