Illustration: Women at the empty tomb, by Fra Angelico, 1437–1446
Pope Leo’s Regina Caeli for Easter Monday
St. Peter’s Square – Easter Monday, 6 April 2026
___________________________________
Easter Monday Gospel (Matthew 28:8-15)
Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples.
And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus. ‘Greetings’ he said. And the women came up to him and, falling down before him, clasped his feet. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.’
While they were on their way, some of the guard went off into the city to tell the chief priests all that had happened. These held a meeting with the elders and, after some discussion, handed a considerable sum of money to the soldiers with these instructions, ‘This is what you must say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” And should the governor come to hear of this, we undertake to put things right with him ourselves and to see that you do not get into trouble.’ The soldiers took the money and carried out their instructions, and to this day that is the story among the Jews.
Pope Leo’s Regina Caeli for Easter Monday
This greeting, filled with wonder and joy, will accompany us throughout this week.
As we celebrate the new day the Lord has given us, the liturgy proclaims that all creation has entered the time of salvation.
In the name of Jesus, death’s despair is forever swept away.
Today’s Gospel presents two accounts: the women who encountered the risen Lord (vv. 9–11), and the guards who were bribed by the leaders of the Sanhedrin (vv. 11–14).
The women proclaim Christ’s victory over death;
while the guards assert that always death prevails.
According to the guards, Jesus has not risen; his body was stolen.
From the same fact — the empty tomb — two interpretations arise: one a source of new and eternal life, the other of certain and definitive death.
This contrast invites us to reflect on the value of Christian witness and the integrity of human communication.
The proclamation of truth is often obscured by what we today call “fake news” — lies, insinuations, and unfounded accusations.
Yet, despite such obstacles, the truth does not remain hidden.
Rather, it emerges to meet us, living and radiant, illuminating even the deepest darkness.
Just as he spoke to the women at the tomb, Jesus says to us today: “Do not be afraid; go and tell” (v. 10).
In this way, he himself becomes the Good News to be witnessed in the world.
The Passover of the Lord is our Passover — the Passover of all humanity — for this man who died for us is the Son of God, who gave his life for us.
Just as the risen One, ever living and present, frees the past from a destructive end, so the Easter proclamation redeems our future from the tomb.
Dear friends,
It is crucial that this Gospel reach those oppressed by the evil that corrupts history and confuses consciences!
I think of peoples afflicted by war, Christians persecuted for their faith, children deprived of an education.
Proclaiming the Paschal Mystery of Christ in both word and deed gives hope — a hope otherwise stifled by violence.
Wherever the Good News is proclaimed, it sheds light upon every shadow in every age.
In the light of the risen Lord, we remember Pope Francis with particular affection today, on the anniversary of his passing last year on Easter Monday.
As we remember his profound witness of faith and love, let us pray to the Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom, together, so that we may become ever more radiant heralds of the truth.
