Pope at Regina Coeli encourages growing in friendship with the Lord

By Thaddeus Jones

In his customary address before leading the recitation of Sunday's Regina Coeli prayer, Pope Francis reflected on Sunday's Gospel theme, recalling Jesus telling the Apostles, “I do not call you servants any longer, but friends." Saying how servants of God are special people in whom God places His treasures - recalling Moses, King David, the prophet Elijah, and the Virgin Mary - the Pope explained how Jesus wishes more for us, something greater, that we be in friendship with Him.

The beauty of friendship

The experience of friendship begins in childhood when perhaps we share our toys or most precious gifts with our friends, the Pope said, then as teenagers when we confide with friends and offer loyalty, and as adults when we share each other's burdens, memories, and life stories. The Pope encouraged us to remember our friends and to thank the Lord for them.

Friendship weathers the storms

Real friendship recognizes our common humanity and is not the result of calculation or compulsion, the Pope said, and when authentic, does not fail even in the face of betrayal. Quoting the Book of Proverbs, "a friend loves at all time," the Pope said a true friend does not abandon you despite your mistakes but rather corrects you, or even reproaches you, but also forgives you.

Beyond all expectations

Jesus tells us in today's Gospel how we are His friends, dearly loved "beyond all merit and expectation, to whom He extends His hand and offers His love, His Grace, His Word; with whom He shares what is dearest to Him, all that He has heard from the Father." The Lord even becomes fragile for us, the Pope pointed out, "placing Himself in our hands without defence or pretence, because He loves us, He wants our good and He wants us to share in his."

The Pope suggested we think about how we see the Lord in our own lives, whether as a friend or a stranger; and whether we accept His boundless love for us and share it in our own lives with our brothers and sisters, especially those who make mistakes and need forgiveness. He prayed that the Blessed Mother might help us grow in friendship with her Son.

Easter Greetings

Following the Marian prayer, Pope Francis offered best wishes to Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches that celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar. 

Prayers for suffering and world peace

Following the recitation of the Regina Coeli and the apostolic blessing, Pope Francis assured the people of Rio Grande do Sul of his prayers. Brazil's southernmost state is recovering from massive flooding that has struck the region. The Pope prayed for the repose of the souls of those who have died and for the Lord's consolation for their families and those forced to leave their homes.

The Pope then asked everyone to continue praying for peace in our world, in particular for "tormented Ukraine" that is suffering so much, as well as Palestine and Israel. He prayed that there may be peace and that dialogue may be strengthened and bear good fruit, stressing a "no to war, yes to dialogue!"

Addressing the many groups in Saint Peter's Square present for the Regina Coeli, the Pope greeted in particular the Pontifical Swiss Guard and their families present for tomorrow's annual celebration with the swearing-in of new recruits. He thanked them for their generous service and asked everyone in the square to give them their applause.