Christ "does not want to limit our freedom" by His Presence: Pope Francis on the Ascension

Christ’s action of blessing the apostles after he announces the Spirit is a “priestly gesture” which shows that Christ “is the great priest of our life” who intercedes for us in heaven. 

“Brothers and sisters, let us think today of the gift of the Spirit we have received from Jesus to be witnesses of the Gospel,” the pope concluded. 

“Let us ask ourselves if we really are; and also, if we are capable of loving others, leaving them free and making room for them. And then: do we know how to make ourselves intercessors for others, that is, do we know how to pray for them and bless their lives? Or do we serve others for our own interests? Let us learn this: intercessory prayer, interceding for the hopes and sufferings of the world, interceding for peace. And let us bless with our eyes and our words those we meet every day!”

Following the Regina Coeli, Pope Francis praised Don Luigi Lenzini, an Italian martyr killed in 1945 “in the climate of hatred and conflict at that time.”

In addition, Pope Francis noted that May 29 is World Social Communications Day, which this year has the theme “Listening with the ear of the heart.” 

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“Knowing how to listen, besides being the first gesture of charity, is also the first indispensable ingredient of dialogue and good communication: knowing how to listen, to let others say everything, not to cut them off hallway, knowing how to listen with the ears and with the heart. I hope that everyone may grow in this capacity to listen with the heart,” Pope Francis said. 

He also noted that the Vatican is inviting Catholics to join him in praying the rosary for peace in Ukraine and around the world at the end of the Marian month of May. The pope will pray the rosary before the statue of Mary Regina Pacis at the Basilica of St. Mary Major on May 31.

Finally, the pope announced the names of 21 new cardinals, who will be created at an August consistory.

Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and assistant podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and in the past has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer.