Pope Loe: Keep Beautiful Witness of Corpus Christi Processions Alive

Written by Deborah Castellano Lubov | Vatican News 6:40 AM June 4, 2026

(Vatican News) — Pope Leo XIV has encouraged the faithful to keep alive the public witness of faith made visible in Eucharistic processions, recalling that this week the Church celebrates the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi.

“In the Eucharist, we contemplate Jesus, the bread broken and given for each of us,” Pope Leo said in his greeting to Italian-speaking pilgrims at the end of his Wednesday general audience on June 3.

“Processions with the Blessed Sacrament, which take place in the streets of many towns, are an expression of popular Eucharistic devotion; in this regard, I encourage you to keep alive this beautiful public manifestation of faith,” Pope Leo said.

In the Church’s liturgical calendar, the feast of Corpus Christi falls on the Thursday following the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. However, in most U.S. dioceses, the celebration of the solemnity is transferred to the following Sunday so that more people can participate. This year the solemnity will be celebrated June 7.