an exchange of all prisoners between Russians and Ukrainians

The call of Regina Caeli in the name of the Risen One “who wants us free.” The solemnity of the Ascension celebrated today in Italy inspires the question: “Is the desire for eternal life alive in me?” The horizon of the “wisdom of the heart” on the Day of Social Communications and gratitude to all the mothers on their holiday

Vatican City () – Contemplating the mystery of the Ascension of the “Risen One who liberates us and wants us free, I renew my call for the general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, assuring the Holy See of its availability to favor all efforts in this regard, especially for those who are seriously injured and sick. And we continue to pray for peace in Ukraine, in Palestine, in Israel, in Myanmar.”

This is the appeal that Pope Francis made again today from St. Peter’s Square at the end of the Regina Caeli prayer, on the day when the Church in Italy celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension. “The return of Jesus to the Father,” commented the pontiff, “is presented to us not as a distance from us, but rather as preceding us to our destiny. As when on the mountain we climb towards a peak: we walk, with effort, and Finally, at a bend in the path, the horizon opens and the panorama is seen. The Church – commented the Pontiff – in this climb walks with Jesus who “step by step, step by step, shows us the way.”

And what are these steps? “The Gospel – answered the Pope – says today: “Announce the Gospel, baptize, expel demons, confront snakes, heal the sick” (cf. Mc 16, 16-18); in short, do the works of the love: giving life, bringing hope, turning away from all evil and meanness, responding to evil with good, being close to those who suffer. And the more we do this, the more we allow ourselves to be transformed by his Spirit, the more we follow his example, and the more. “As in the mountains, we feel that the air around us becomes light and clean, the horizon broad and the goal close.”

Hence the invitation to ask yourself: “Is the desire for God, for his infinite love, for his life that is eternal life, alive in me? Or am I crushed and anchored to the things that happen, to money, to success, to pleasures? And does my desire for Heaven isolate me, close me, or lead me to love my brothers and sisters with a big and selfless heart, to feel like they are companions on the path to Paradise? Mary, Francis concluded, help us, to we who have already reached the goal, to walk together with joy towards the glory of Heaven.

Ascension Day for the Catholic Church is also the World Day of Social Communications, for which this year Pope Francis indicated in his message the theme “Artificial intelligence and wisdom of the heart.” “Only by recovering the wisdom of the heart – he said today, addressing the communicators at the end of the Regina Coeli – will we be able to interpret the demands of our time and rediscover the paths for a fully human communication. To all those who work in communication goes our gratitude for their work”.

Finally, the Pope wanted to remember that in many countries this second Sunday in May is also Mother’s Day. “Let us think with gratitude of all the mothers,” he said, inviting the faithful present in the square to give them a round of applause: “Let us pray for the mothers who have gone to heaven, let us entrust them to the protection of Mary, our heavenly mother.”