Jesus’ Ascension brings us joy says His Holiness Pope Francis at Regina Coeli

At the Regina Coeli on Sunday, Pope Francis says Jesus' Ascension into heaven as true God and true man and His promise of the Holy Spirit, are causes of joy.

By Christopher Wells

There are none of the usual feeling of loss or abandonment among the disciples when Jesus ascended in the Heaven, said Pope Francis at Sunday’s Regina Coeli. Instead, “despite their separation from the Lord, they do not appear grief-stricken, but rather, are joyful and ready to go into the world as missionaries.”

“Why are the disciples not sad?” the Pope asked. “Why should we too rejoice at seeing Jesus ascend into Heaven?” His answer: “The Ascension completes Jesus’ mission among us.”

In Italy, as in many countries throughout the world, the solemnity of the Ascension is observed liturgically on the sixth Sunday after Easter. “After descending into our humanity and redeeming it, now Jesus ascends to heaven, taking our flesh with Him,” the Pope said. Jesus is the first human being to enter Heaven, precisely because He is both true God and true man. “Our flesh is in heaven,” the Pope exclaimed, “and this gives us joy!” …

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