Scattered sprinkles did not stop thousands of pilgrims from gathering in St. Peter's Square yesterday to hear the Pope's Regina Caeli address. In his first address of May, his Holiness drew attention to the fact that May "is the Marian month par excellence."

"After the Second Vatican Council," Benedict continued, "the Marian Cult has experienced a profound renewal." This year, May coincides with part of Eastertide, "and it is, therefore, a good time to illustrate the figure of Mary as the Mother who accompanies the Community of the Disciples gathered together in prayer while waiting for the Holy Spirit."