Pope Francis: A Call to Veneration and Unity

In an emotional mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Pope Francis addressed thousands of faithful to commemorate the memory of Our Lady of Guadalupe. During the homily, Francis emphasized that the true Guadalupan mystery is centered on the veneration of the Virgin Mary, moving away from any ideological interpretation.

The Pope recalled the consoling words of the Virgin to Juan Diego: “Do not be afraid, am I not here, I who am your Mother?” These words, full of tenderness and maternal love, resonate in the hearts of millions of Guadalupan devotees around the world. Francis stressed that the tilma, the Mother and the rose are the essential elements of the Guadalupan mystery, and any interpretation that goes beyond this is an ideological distortion.

A Celebration for All Latinos

The Mass, which is a special celebration for Latin Americans, brought together thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Basilica. The collect prayer of the Mass asked the Virgin of Guadalupe to intercede so that we would deepen our faith along paths of justice and peace. The participation of the choirs of the Mexican College and the Pío Latino, together with the Sistine Chapel, enriched the celebration with solemn and emotional songs.

The event was concelebrated by about 30 cardinals and more than 350 priests. The readings were given in Spanish and Portuguese, and the Eucharistic liturgy was led by Cardinal Robert Prevost Martínez, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, together with Monsignors Luis Manuel Alí Herrera and Hilario González García.

The Motherhood of Mary, the Center of the Guadalupan Mystery

In his homily, Francis highlighted the image of Mary of Guadalupe, pregnant, announcing the birth of El Salvador. He described with tenderness how the Virgin told Juan Diego not to be afraid, thus revealing her protective motherhood. The Pope explained that Mary’s motherhood is engraved on the simple tilma and is manifested in the beauty of the roses that the Indian found and brought.

“The Guadalupan mystery is to venerate her and to hear in our ears: ‘Am I not here, I who am your Mother?’” the Pope reiterated. He emphasized that this message must resonate in the difficult, happy and everyday moments of life, distancing ourselves from any ideological use of the mystery.

A Call to Unity and Faith

Francis concluded his homily by reiterating the importance of venerating the Virgin of Guadalupe and listening to her maternal voice that tells us: “Do not be afraid, am I not here, I who am your Mother?” With these words, the Pope called for unity and a deepening of faith, reminding us that in the figure of the Virgin, we find consolation and maternal protection in every moment of our lives.

This celebration in the Vatican was not only a tribute to the Patroness of America, but also a reaffirmation of the commitment of the faithful of Guadalupe throughout the world to follow her message of love, faith and unity.