The Pope’s Words On Mary
One of Pope Francis’s top priorities after his election was to visit St. Mary Major Church in Rome to pray before an icon of the Virgin Mary. In the early weeks of his pontificate, he has invoked the name of Mary several times, as these examples show:
“I entrust my ministry and your ministry to the powerful intercession of Mary, our Mother, Mother of the Church. Under her maternal gaze, may each one of you continue gladly along your path, attentive to the voice of her divine Son, strengthening your unity, persevering in your common prayer and bearing witness to the true faith in the constant presence of the Lord.”
— Meeting with cardinals, March 15, 2013
“I commend you to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization, and with cordial good wishes for you and your families, each of your families.”
Audience with members of the media, March 16, 2013
“On this radiant night, let us invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who treasured all these events in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19,51) and ask the Lord to give us a share in his Resurrection. May he open us to the newness that transforms, to the beautiful surprises of God. May he make us men and women capable of remembering all that he has done in our own lives and in the history of our world. May he help us to feel his presence as the one who is alive and at work in our midst. And may he teach us each day, dear brothers and sisters, not to look among the dead for the Living One. Amen.”
— Homily at the Easter Vigil. March 30. 2013
“Together let us pray the Virgin Mary that she help us. Bishop and People, to walk in faith and charity, ever trusting in the Lord’s mercy: he always awaits us, loves us, has pardoned us with his Blood and pardons us every time we go to him to ask his forgiveness.”
Regina Coeli, April 7, 2013