Pope Leo: 'It is Jesus' love for us that moves us to love others

Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

During his Regina Caeli address on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful that Jesus loves us forever and unconditionally, and that His love for us moves us to love others.

"The Lord does not leave us alone in life's trials," Pope Leo XIV told pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square.

Before reciting the Marian prayer of the Easter season, the Holy Father reflected on the day's Gospel according to St John, in which, Jesus, at the Last Supper, says to His disciples, 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments.'

"This statement," Pope Leo said, "frees us from the misconception that we are loved because we keep the commandments as if our righteousness were a prerequisite for God's love." On the contrary, he stated, "God's love is the condition for our righteousness."

"We truly keep the commandments, according to God's will, when we recognise His love for us, just as Christ revealed it to the world," clarifying that Jesus' words therefore are "an invitation to enter into a relationship, not a blackmail or a suspicious ultimatum."

Precisely for this reason, Pope Leo explained, the Lord commands us to love one another as He has loved us.

"It is Jesus' love that begets love within us," the Holy Father said, noting: "Christ himself is the standard, the measure of true love: the love that is faithful forever, pure and unconditional."

"Because God loves us first, we too can love; and when we truly love God, we truly love one another."

Pope Leo explained that the same is true for life itself, noting, "only those who have received life can live, so too, only those who have been loved can love."

Thus, he called the Lord's Commandments "a way of life that heals us from false loves, and a spiritual lifestyle that is a path towards salvation."

Precisely because Christ loves us, the Holy Father said, He does not leave us alone in life's trials, rather "He promises us the Paraclete, that is, the Advocate, the 'Spirit of truth.'"

Even amid the world's evils, we are called to "bear witness to God, who is love, always and everywhere."

During our mission to love, the Pope warned against that which tries to impede even our best efforts.

While the Holy Spirit is the power of truth, the Pope warned of "the Accuser," the "father of lies," who seeks to oppose God and turn people against one another.

Finally, Pope Leo concluded by calling on the faithful to be grateful for the Lord's unconditional and enduring love and to entrust ourselves to the intercession of His mother, the Virgin Mary.

After the Regina Caeli, Pope express his concern about the growing violence in the Sahel region, particularly in Chad and Mali, which have recently suffered terrorist attacks. "I offer the assurance of my heartfelt prayers for the victims and my spiritual closeness to all those who are suffering as a result of the tragic events," he said. "I fervently hope that every form of violence may cease, and I encourage all efforts aimed at fostering peace and development in that beloved land."

Pope Leo noted that it was the 'Day of Coptic-Catholic Friendship' and sent his greetings His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, assuring "the entire beloved Coptic Church of my remembrance in prayer."

He thanked the people of the Canary Islands who welcomed the cruise ship Hondius with the passengers infected with the Hantavirus. Pope Leo said he was looking forward to visiting the Canary Islands next month.

Finally Pope Leo reminded everyone that it was Mothering Sunday. "Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our own Mother, let us pray with love and gratitude for every mother, particularly those living in very difficult circumstances. Thank you! May God bless you!

Read Pope Leo's full address text:
www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2026/documents/20260510-regina-caeli.html

Watch the Regina Caeli on Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=benWY8ct6KM