Watch Pope Leo XIV lead Regina Caeli prayer from St Peter’s Basilica

CNN - May 11th, 2025
Open on CNN

Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural Sunday blessing, emphasizing a "message of peace" to the gathered faithful. During this significant moment, he also led the congregation in the Regina Caeli prayer, adding a unique touch by singing part of the prayer himself. This unexpected gesture by the new Pope captured the attention and hearts of those in attendance, highlighting his approach to his papal role as one that combines tradition with personal warmth.

This event marks the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s tenure as a spiritual leader and sets the tone for his papacy. By focusing on peace, the Pope signals his priorities in addressing global tensions and promoting unity. The choice to sing part of the prayer also reflects an intention to engage with the faithful in a more personal and emotional manner. This development is significant as it may influence the Church’s approach to global issues and internal relations under his leadership.

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RATING

5.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a concise report on Pope Leo XIV's first Sunday blessing and unique approach to the Regina Caeli prayer. While it covers a timely and interesting event, the lack of source attribution and diverse perspectives limits its depth and reliability. The story is clear and accessible but would benefit from additional context and verification to enhance its credibility and engagement potential. Overall, the article serves as a brief introduction to the Pope's actions but leaves readers with questions about the event's broader significance and impact.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story claims Pope Leo XIV delivered a 'message of peace' and led the Regina Caeli prayer, singing part of it for the first time. Verification is needed to confirm if this was indeed his first time, as well as to check the exact content of his message. The claim about singing part of the prayer is unusual and requires corroboration. The location, St. Peter's Basilica, is a verifiable fact. While the story aligns with general expectations of a papal event, specific details like the novelty of the singing and the crowd's reaction need further evidence.

5
Balance

The story presents a singular perspective focused on the Pope's actions during the event. It lacks viewpoints from attendees or other religious figures, which could provide a more rounded understanding of the event's significance. By not including reactions or interpretations from different groups, the story may unintentionally favor a simplistic narrative of the Pope's actions without exploring broader implications or differing interpretations.

7
Clarity

The story is concise and straightforward, making it easy to understand. The language is clear, and the structure is logical, with a focus on the main event. However, the lack of detailed information and context limits the depth of understanding. While the story is easy to read, it could benefit from additional details to provide a fuller picture of the event's significance.

4
Source quality

The story does not cite any sources or provide attribution for its claims. Without references to official Vatican communications or eyewitness accounts, the credibility of the information is questionable. The absence of diverse sources or authoritative voices diminishes the story's reliability and leaves readers without a way to verify the details independently.

3
Transparency

The story lacks transparency regarding its sources and methodology. It does not explain how the information was obtained or provide context for the Pope's actions. There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the validity and impartiality of the claims presented.

Sources

  1. https://ascensionpress.com/blogs/articles/16-fun-facts-about-pope-leo-xiv
  2. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/biography-of-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html
  3. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-leo-xiv-social-media-account-trump-vance-criticism/
  4. https://reason.com/volokh/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-and-immigration/