Pope Francis: True devotion to Mary always ‘points to Jesus’

Vatican City, Nov 13, 2024 / 09:50 am (CNA).

Pope Francis told pilgrims present at his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday that the Blessed Virgin Mary does not focus on herself but on her son, Jesus.

“Mary is always the mother that brings us to Jesus,” the Holy Father said. “Mary does not only point to herself. She points to Jesus.”

Continuing his catechesis on the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Church as Jesus’ bride, Pope Francis invited his listeners to reflect on the Mother of God’s presence and special role among Jesus’ apostles.

“The disciples were gathered around Mary, the mother of Jesus,” the pope said, reflecting on the passage of the Acts of Apostles read to hundreds of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“Her presence is different and unique among them all,” he continued. “Between her and the Holy Spirit there is a unique and eternally indestructible bond that is the very person of Christ himself, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.”

During his Nov. 13 general audience, Pope Francis said that Mary’s support for Christian communities is not one that is confined to the past but has persisted “in every age of our history.”

“The Mother of God is an instrument of the Holy Spirit in his work of sanctification,” he said. “Mary is the one who said ‘yes’ to God and, with her example and by her intercession, pushes us to say ‘yes’ to him too.”

As “the first disciple and figure of the Church,” the Holy Father hopes that Christians today will allow Mary to “see Jesus,” “open our hearts” to him, and “arise in haste” to help others in need.

Describing Mary, the pope echoed the words of the patron of his pontificate, St. Francis of Assisi: “Daughter and handmaid of the heavenly Father, the almighty King, Mother of our most high Lord Jesus Christ, and spouse of the Holy Spirit.”

“The unique relationship between Mary and the Trinity could not be illustrated in simpler words,” he said.

‘We pray for peace’

Before concluding his Wednesday audience and imparting his paternal blessing for pilgrims, the Holy Father concluded his general audience with renewed petitions for peace and prayer.

“Let us not forget Ukraine, let us not forget Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and so many countries at war,” he urged. “Let us not forget the group of Palestinians who were shot dead. Innocent people.”

“We pray for peace. There is so much need for peace. My blessing to [you] all,” he said.