On the occasion of the solemnity of Corpus Christi, Pope Francis on Thursday said “the Eucharist is God’s response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the true hunger.”

The solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ is celebrated on the Thursday following the solemnity of the Holy Trinity. However, for pastoral reasons, in many countries, including the United States, the celebration will not take place until this Sunday, June 2.

On this day on which the Eucharist — the real presence of Christ — is given public and solemn adoration, love, and gratitude, the Holy Father on his X account said in the Eucharist “Christ himself is truly in our midst to nourish us, console us, and sustain us along the way.”

As part of the celebration, the procession of the body and blood of Christ takes place after the main Mass.

The Holy Father himself will offer the Mass and lead the traditional Eucharistic procession from St. John Lateran Basilica to St. Mary Major Basilica this Sunday, June 2, which has not happened since 2018.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA. Only later, it was published on EWTNVatican.