Pope Leo prays for every mother on Mothers' Day

By Linda Bordoni

Mother's Day is celebrated in over 40 countries across the world on the second Sunday in May, and  Pope Leo XIV did not neglect to dedicate a special thought to all mothers.

Speaking after the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer in St Peter's Square, the Pope said, “Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, let us pray with affection and gratitude for every mother, especially for those living in the most difficult conditions,” he said.

“Let us pray with affection and gratitude for every mother, especially for those living in the most difficult conditions.”

Day of Coptic-Catholic Friendship

The Pope also had fraternal greetings for the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, as he recalled that “On May 10 each year, the 'Day of Coptic-Catholic Friendship’ is celebrated.”

“I extend a fraternal greeting to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and assure my prayers for the entire beloved Coptic Church, in the hope that our journey of friendship may lead us to perfect unity in Christ, who has called us ‘friends,'" he added.

Gratitude to the Canary Islands

Pope Leo also had words of gratitude for the “welcoming spirit that characterises the people of the Canary Islands.”

Noting that the Canary Islands have allowed passengers of the “Hondius Cruise Ship with hantavirus patients on board,” he said he is happy “to be able to meet you next month during my visit to the islands”.

The Pope is scheduled, in fact, to undertake an apostolic journey to Spain from 6 to 12 June, and he will spend the last two days of the trip on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where he will meet with migrants and organisations dedicated to helping them.