Doubting Thomas represents all of us, says Pope Francis, as "we too struggle at times like that disciple: How can we believe that Jesus is risen, that he accompanies us and is the Lord of our life without having seen him, without having touched him?"
The Pope considered St. Thomas before praying the midday Regina Caeli on this Divine Mercy Sunday, April 24. The Holy Father had just given the homily at Mass celebrated before in St. Peter's Square.
While we are like Thomas, the Pope said, "we do not need to be ashamed of this."
What does Jesus do with Thomas' absence and "his journey" - this journey "which is often also our own," the Pope asked.
"The Gospel says twice that he 'came.' First once, then a second time, eight days later," he answered.
