The Pontiff was received by the newly appointed Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, and the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri. The Pope prayed with the faithful present and those following the ceremony through the media. Hymns and litanies in honor of the Blessed Virgin were sung.
The Holy Father offered a floral tribute, engaged in prayer, and delivered a brief invocation. He referred to the preparation for the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, which begins in 16 days, assuring that “it will be a message of hope for humanity tormented by crises and wars.” He also acknowledged the many ongoing works in Rome for this major event, recognizing their importance and necessity, while reminding us that “the true Jubilee is not outside, it is inside.”
“It is within that we must work to prepare the way for the Lord who comes.”
Here is the full text of the Holy Father’s prayer:
Immaculate Virgin,
today is your feast, and we gather around you.
The flowers we offer you express
our love and gratitude
but you see and appreciate above all those hidden flowers
that are the prayers, the sighs, the tears,
especially of the little ones and the poor.
Our Mother, Rome is preparing for a new Jubilee
which will be a message of hope for humanity
tormented by crises and wars.
For this reason, there are works everywhere in the city:
you know – this causes quite a few inconveniences,
but it is a sign that Rome is alive,
renewing itself, trying to adapt to needs,
to be more welcoming and more functional.
But your Mother’s gaze sees beyond.
And I seem to hear your voice
wisely telling us: “My children,
these works are good, but be careful:
do not forget the works of the soul!
The true Jubilee is not outside, it is inside:
inside you, inside your hearts,
inside family and social relationships.
It is within that we must work to prepare
the way for the Lord who comes.”
Immaculate Mother, we thank you!
This indication of yours does us good,
we need it so much, because, unintentionally,
we run the risk of being totally caught up
by the organization, by the things to do,
and then the grace of the Holy Year,
which is a time of spiritual rebirth
of forgiveness and social liberation,
this grace of the Jubilee is silenced.
You were surely present in the synagogue of Nazareth
that day when Jesus first preached
to the people of his country.
He read the book of the prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
because he has anointed me
and sent me to bring good news to the poor
to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind
to set free the oppressed
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Lk 4:18-19).
Then he sat down and said: “Today this scripture
is fulfilled in your hearing” (v. 21).
You were there, among the astonished people.
You were proud of Him, your Son,
and at the same time foresaw the drama
of closure and envy, which generates violence.
You went through this drama
and always do so, with your immaculate heart
full of the love of Christ’s Heart.
And even today, Mary, you repeat to us: “Listen to Him!
Listen to Him and do what He tells you” (cf. Jn 2:5).
Thank you, Holy Mother! Thank you because even
in this time poor in hope,
you give us Jesus, our Hope!
The Pope’s words are a poignant reminder that while physical preparations for the Jubilee are important, the true transformation and preparation must occur within our hearts and souls. As we approach the Jubilee of 2025, let us focus on these “works of the soul” to truly welcome the Lord.
