Vatican City, January 1, 2025
In his homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the 58th World Day of Peace, Pope Francis welcomed the new year with a call to embrace Mary’s role as a guide to peace and the sanctity of life.
The Pope’s address, delivered during the Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, underscored the importance of recognizing God’s presence in the simplicity of daily life, much like Mary did. Pope Francis highlighted the journey of the new year, entrusting it to Mary for guidance in fostering a culture of peace and respect for human life from conception to natural death.
Central to his message was the theme of life’s dignity, urging a firm commitment to protect life at all stages.
“Let us learn from Mary to find God’s greatness in life’s smallness,”
he stated, emphasizing the need to care for every human being, especially the vulnerable, which aligns with today’s celebration of the World Day of Peace.
Pope Francis also reflected on the significance of Mary as “Theotokos” or “Mother of God,” a title officially recognized at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. He reiterated that through Mary, the Christian faith acknowledges the mystery of the Incarnation, where divine and human natures are united in Christ.
The homily further invited the faithful to look to Mary for inspiration in building a civilization of peace.
“Entrusting this new Jubilee year to her, we deliver to her our questions, concerns, sufferings, joys, and all we carry in our hearts. She is our mother,”
Pope Francis proclaimed, calling for a renewal of hope and the germination of peace across all nations.
This message resonates with the ongoing global efforts to promote peace, reflecting a collective yearning for a world where peace and justice prevail.
For more details on Pope Francis’s homily, visit the Vatican’s official website on the link bellow.
