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Mary

Pope Francis delivers a message on the topic of “vices and virtuesc” at his Wednesday general audience on Jan. 3, 2024. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Never Forget that Jesus is Beside You in Your Worst Moments

Jan 3, 2024

In life’s worst moments, never forget that Jesus is beside you, Pope Francis said Wednesday.

Pope Francis at the first Mass of the new year, urged the faithful to entrust 2024 to the Mother of God. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Entrust 2024 to the Mother of God 

Jan 1, 2024

The pope made his appeal during Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Jan. 1 for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

Pope Francis smiles at pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 1, 2023, for his first Angelus of the new year. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Reflects on Mary’s Motherhood, Prays for Nicaragua During New Year’s Angelus

Jan 1, 2024

Just days after Christmas, Nicaragua’s Sandinista regime abducted four priests, whose whereabouts are still unknown.

Pope Francis' Angelus message on Jan. 1, 2023, marked the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. An estimated 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square for the event. The feast day coincides with the World Day of Peace. | Credit: Vatican Media

Why are the Solemnity of Mary and the World Day of Peace Celebrated on the Same Day?

Jan 1, 2024

Jan. 1 marks more than the start of a new year — it is also the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace.

Pope Francis invoke the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Peace and Mother of Mercy at a prayer vigil for peace in St. Peter's Basilica, Friday, Oct. 27. | Credit: Courtney Mares

Pope Francis Asks Mary’s Intercession in World Day of Peace Video

Jan 1, 2024

Pope Francis implores the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for an end to human conflicts in a new video released on Jan. 1 for the World Day of Peace.

Today, Sunday, January 1, We Celebrate Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Jan 1, 2024

The title “Mother of God” goes back to the third or fourth century, but the Greek term Theotokos (“The God-bearer”) was officially consecrated as Catholic doctrine at the Council of Ephesus in 431, thus becoming the first Marian dogma. At the end of the Council of Ephesus, crowds of people marched through the streets shouting: “Praised be the Theotokos!”

Pope Francis presides at the annual celebration of “first vespers,” or evening prayer, for the vigil of the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on Dec. 31, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Faith Allows Christians to Live Transition into the New Year "differently"

Dec 31, 2023

Pope Francis rang in the new year and gave thanks for 2023 at a special New Year’s Eve Vatican liturgy.

Today, November 21, We Celebrate Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Nov 21, 2023

The Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated annually on November 21st, commemorates the presentation of the Blessed Virgin as a child by her parents in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Assumption of the Virgin Mary, fresco painting in San Petronio Basilica in Bologna, Italy. | Zvonimir Atletic / Shutterstock.

The Fascinating History of the Feast of Mary’s Assumption

Aug 15, 2023

On Aug. 15, Catholics around the world mark the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, commemorating the end of her earthly life and assumption into heaven.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Gyumri, Armenia, June 25, 2016. | L'Osservatore Romano/CNA

Pope Francis Entrusts All Mothers to Blessed Virgin Mary on Mother’s Day

May 14, 2023

On Mother’s Day, Pope Francis entrusted all mothers, including those in heaven, to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Pope Francis presides over the first papal Mass of the new year on Jan. 1, 2023, in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. | Alan Köppschall/EWTN Vatican

Pope Francis Entrusts the Late Benedict XVI to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Jan 1, 2023

At the first papal Mass of 2023, thousands of Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica prayed for the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 95.

Pope Francis offers Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God in St. Peter's Basilica on January 1, 2022. © Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN/Vatican Pool

Let Us Place the New Year 2022 Under the Protection of Mary: Pope Francis

Jan 1, 2022

Pope Francis’ first public act of 2022 was to offer Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God.

Assumption of the Virgin Mary, fresco painting in San Petronio Basilica in Bologna, Italy. / Zvonimir Atletic / Shutterstock.

The Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven Explained

Aug 15, 2020

On Aug. 15, Catholics around the world mark the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, commemorating the end of her earthly life and assumption into Heaven.

Pope Francis offers a blessing from the window of the Apostolic Palance April 26, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Pope Francis Asks for Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood on Good Shepherd Sunday

May 3, 2020

Pope Francis called on all Catholics to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life on Good Shepherd Sunday, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Pope Francis blesses an icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: Mary helps Christians enter heaven through the 'narrow gate'

Aug 27, 2019

The way to heaven is difficult and the gate to enter small, but Jesus’ mother, Mary, who herself entered through the narrow gate, will help those who ask, Pope Francis said Sunday.