The Pope prayed for moms in heaven and those who celebrate Mother’s Day

2023-05-14 13:39:00

May 14, 2023 / 6:39 a.m.

After the Regina Caeli prayer, Pope Francis asked for prayers for mothers alive or in heaven this Sunday, May 14, when Mother’s Day is celebrated in more than 90 countries.

“Today, in many countries, the feast of the mother is celebrated. Let us remember with gratitude and affection all mothers, those who are still with us and those who ascended to heaven. We entrust them to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, And please give them a big round of applause!” said Pope Francis, leaning out of the window of the Apostolic Palace.

Before the faithful and pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, after presiding over the Marian prayer, Pope Francis called for an end to the violence between Israelis and Palestinians, because with weapons “all hope is destroyed”.

Recalling that today is Mother’s Day, the Pontiff said that “in recent days we have once again witnessed armed clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, in which innocent people have lost their lives, including women and children.”

For this reason, he affirmed that “the truce that has just been reached should be stabilized, that the weapons should be silent, because with weapons security and stability will never be achieved, but, on the contrary, any hope of peace will continue to be destroyed.”

The Pope, then, remembering all the mothers “who are still among us and those who have gone to heaven”, entrusted them to Mary, thinking of the theater of another dramatic war, that of the Ukraine.

“We turn to you asking you to alleviate the suffering of the tormented Ukraine and all nations wounded by war and violence,” he said. Just yesterday the Holy Father received a visit to the Vatican from the President of Ukraine.

Lastly, the Pope greeted Caritas Internationalis, which yesterday elected its new president, invited by Francis to advance “with courage along the path of reforms.”