Vatican City, May 16, 2010 / 08:24 am
Speaking to the throng gathered in St. Peter's Square before the Regina Coeli on Sunday, the Holy Father referred to the day's Gospel reading in which Jesus departs from the disciples. The Ascension, he said, permits us to "foretaste" the divine life from here on earth.
Despite the dark clouds that hung over the Vatican, threatening rain showers, well over 100,000 people were present in the Square and surrounding streets to hear the Pope's message and to recite the Marian prayer on Sunday.
The Holy Father told them that the Ascension, celebrated in Italy on Sunday, is not a question of abandonment, because “He remains with them forever in a new way."
Using the words of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, he explained that the event took place in three stages: first was the glory of the Resurrection, then the power to judge and finally his Ascension to sit at the right hand of the Father.