Pope Leo: Sunday Eucharist is "indispensable" for Christian life

Source: Vatican Media

During his Regina Caeli address on Sunday with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square, Pope Leo reflected on the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, which emphasises the central role of the Eucharist in sustaining faith.

He recounted the Gospel account of the Apostle Thomas, who encounters the risen Christ eight days after Easter and noted that this meeting takes place within the community, highlighting where believers are called to seek Christ today.

"This scene invites us to reflect on our own encounter with the risen Jesus", the Pope said. He invited the faithful to ask themselves "Where can we find him? How can we recognise him? How can we believe?" Pope Leo XIV explained that faith is not always immediate or easy. "It was not easy for Thomas, and it is not easy for us either," he said, adding that "faith needs to be nourished and sustained."

For this reason, he said the Church invites the faithful to gather every Sunday, the "eighth day", to celebrate the Eucharist. "During Mass, we listen to the words of Jesus, we pray, we profess our faith… His Body and Blood nourish us, so that we too may become witnesses of his Resurrection." Participation in Sunday Mass is essential, as "the Sunday Eucharist is indispensable to the Christian life".

Turning then to the witness of the early Church, Pope Leo pointed to the Martyrs of Abitene, who chose death rather than abandon the celebration of the Eucharist. "They replied that they could not live without celebrating the Lord's Day," he said.

The Pope explained that it is in the Eucharist that faith grows and is strengthened, and where believers are united as members of one body. "It is there that our efforts, though limited, are united by God's grace… for the accomplishment of a single great plan of salvation that embraces all humanity."

He also stressed the missionary dimension of Mass, noting that the term itself signifies "sending forth." Christians, he said, are called to bring what they receive into their daily lives, becoming "witnesses of charity and messengers of reconciliation."

Pope Leo concluded his reflection by stressing that "In a world that is in such great need of peace this calls on us more than ever to be steadfast and faithful in our Eucharistic encounter with the risen Lord."

In his address after the Regina Caeli Pope Leo noted that many Eastern churches were celebrating Easter according to the Julian calendar, saying: "In communion of faith in the Risen Lord, I extend my heartfelt wishes for peace to all these communities. I accompany these wishes with my fervent prayer for all those suffering due to war, particularly for the dear people of Ukraine. May the light of Christ bring comfort to afflicted hearts and strengthen the hope for peace. May the international community's attention to the tragedy of this war not waver!"

Pope Leo said: "In these days of sorrow, fear, and unwavering hope in God, I feel closer than ever to the beloved people of Lebanon. The principle of humanity, inscribed in the conscience of every person and recognised in international law, entails a moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the horrific effects of war. I call on the parties in the conflict to declare a ceasefire and urgently seek a peaceful solution.

"Next Wednesday marks the third anniversary of the start of the bloodstained conflict in Sudan. How much the Sudanese people are suffering, innocent victims of this inhuman tragedy! I renew my fervent appeal to the warring parties to silence their weapons and begin, without preconditions, a sincere dialogue aimed at ending this fratricidal war as soon as possible."

After greeting several groups of pilgrims present in Saint Peter's Square, the Holy Father asked for prayers for his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea that begins later today.

Watch the Regina Caeli on VaticanYoutube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS8jugPisJk

Read the full texts: www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2026/documents/20260412-regina-caeli.html