Pope

By Christopher Wells

Pope Leo XIV prayed the Angelus with the faithful in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, his first scheduled event since being released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday following surgery to remove a portion of his right lung.

Thousands of pilgrims and visitors were present in the Square to greet the Holy Father and join him for the weekly Marian devotion.

In his reflection ahead of the Angelus, Pope Leo commented on “one of Jesus’ best known sayings: ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’.”

Jesus was responding to a question about taxes that was intended to trap him. But “the Teacher’s response” the Pope said, “is astute, for it allows him to avoid the trap and exposes the hypocrisy of those who seek to put him to the test”.

Pope Leo draws out the conclusion we should come to when reading this passage: “In Jesus, we contemplate a God who is not afraid of history, but comes instead to dwell within it. His kingdom does not abolish human roles and responsibilities”.

Instead, the Pope continued, Jesus calls us “to live without compromise, free from selfish ambitions and unjust motives, seeking above all the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”. At the same time, the Pope notes that hypocrisy of those in the Gospel who praised Jesus, “even though their intentions are far from good”.

Summing up, Pope Leo explained, “This is precisely what it means to ‘render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’: to be truthful, free from servile fear or hypocrisy, free to do good”.

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18 October 2026, 12:16

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.

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...

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.