At the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the urgency of preparing for the coming of the Kingdom of God and our encounter with Jesus, the just Judge.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Leo XIV prayed the noon-day Angelus with the faithful gathered on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, as the Church celebrated the Second Sunday of Advent.
In his address, the Pope recalled John the Baptist’s preaching in the desert of Judea: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Each day, we pray the Our Father, in which we ask “Thy kingdom come.”
With those words, he said, we invite God’s kingdom to enter our world and recognize that the course of history is not controlled by the powerful of this world.
“Let us put our thoughts and energy at the service of God who came not to reign over us, but rather to free us,” said the Pope. “This is the ‘gospel,’ the truly good news that motivates and draws us in.”
John the Baptist’s preaching was severe, admitted Pope Leo. Yet, he said, his words are a call to take life seriously, urging us to prepare ourselves today “for the encounter with Him who judges not by appearance, but by our deeds and the intentions of our hearts.”
When Jesus came the first time, He came in meekness and mercy, surprising John the Baptist.
Jesus, said the Pope, resembles the sprout on a seemingly dead trunk spoken about by the prophet Isaiah. His coming, was not for power or destruction, but rather brought about rebirth and renewal.
“This is what the Church experienced in the Second Vatican Council, which concluded exactly sixty years ago,” noted Pope Leo XIV. “That experience is renewed when we journey toward the Kingdom of God, together with all those who eagerly welcome and serve it.”
The coming of God’s Kingdom will bring even those things that seemed weak or marginal to fulfillment.
“The world greatly needs this hope!” he said. “Nothing is impossible for God. Let us prepare ourselves for His Kingdom; let us welcome it.”
In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV invited Christians to embrace the spirituality of Advent, which he said is “very luminous and concrete.”
“The streetlights remind us that each of us can be a little light, if we welcome Jesus, the shoot of a new world.”
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What is the Angelus
The Angelus is a special prayer recited by Catholics three times a day, at 6am, noon, and 6pm and is accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell. The name comes from the Latin word for Angel and the prayer itself reminds us of how Jesus Christ assumed our human nature through the Mystery of the Incarnation.
The Pope recites the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square every Sunday at midday.
He also gives a brief reflection on the Gospel of the day and often comments on some issue of international concern. The Pope’s words are broadcast all over the world on radio and television and widely shared on social media.
From Easter to Pentecost the Regina Coeli is prayed instead of the Angelus. This prayer commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and, like the Angelus, concludes with the recitation of the Gloria three times.
Latest Angelus / Regina Caeli
Pray with the Pope
Angelus
Angelus Dómini nuntiávit Mariæ.
Et concépit de Spíritu Sancto.
Ave Maria…
Ecce ancílla Dómini.
Fiat mihi secúndum verbum tuum.
Ave Maria…
Et Verbum caro factum est.
Et habitávit in nobis.
Ave Maria…
Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei génetrix.
Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.
Orémus.
Grátiam tuam, quǽsumus, Dómine,
méntibus nostris infunde;
ut qui, Ángelo nuntiánte, Christi Fílii tui incarnatiónem cognóvimus, per passiónem eius et crucem, ad resurrectiónis glóriam perducámur. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Amen.
Gloria Patri… (ter)
Requiem aeternam…
Benedictio Apostolica seu Papalis
Dominus vobiscum.Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sit nomen Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus,
Pa ter, et Fi lius, et Spiritus Sanctus.
Amen.
The Angelus Prayer
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc…
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to Your Word.
Hail Mary, etc…
And the Word was made Flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc…
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,
Your Son by the message of an angel,
so by His Passion and Cross
we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Glory be, etc… (3 times)
Eternal rest…
Apostolic Blessing
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Now and forever.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who has made Heaven and Earth.
May Almighty God bless you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
© Dicastery for Communication – Vatican News
