Pope at Marian Jubilee Mass: Mary Leads Us to Her Son, Jesus

Vatican City, October 12, 2025: During the Mass for the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality in the Vatican on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful to see in the Blessed Mother a radiant example of how to turn to and follow her Son, Jesus Christ.

“Marian spirituality, which nourishes our faith, has Jesus as its centre,” the Pope reminded those gathered, noting that this devotion serves the Gospel and helps believers live it more fully. “Marian spirituality is at the service of the Gospel: it reveals its simplicity,” he said.

The Holy Father described this spirituality as one that draws the faithful into God’s saving work. “Our affection for Mary of Nazareth leads us to join her in becoming disciples of Jesus,” he said. “It teaches us to return to him and to meditate and ponder the events of our lives in which the Risen One still comes to us and calls us.”

Pope Leo reflected that Marian spirituality “immerses us in the history upon which heaven opened.” It helps the faithful to recognise the proud being scattered, the mighty cast down, and the rich sent away empty-handed, while inspiring them to lift up the lowly and fill the hungry with good things.

Reflecting on Mary’s “yes” to God’s will, the Pope noted that her assent was not a one-time act but a daily commitment. “Jesus invites us to be part of his Kingdom, just as he asked Mary for her ‘yes,’ which, once given, was renewed every day,” he said.

He linked this reflection to the Gospel account of the ten lepers, observing that grace can touch lives yet find no response. “Let us take care therefore not to go up to the temple in such a way that does not lead us to follow Jesus,” he warned.

Pope Leo also cautioned against religious practices that isolate believers. “Some forms of worship do not foster communion with others and can numb our hearts,” he said. “In these cases, we fail to encounter the people God has placed in our lives.”

He emphasised that Mary’s journey always leads closer to Jesus and to those in need. “Mary’s path follows that of Jesus, which leads us to encounter every human being, especially the poor, the wounded, and sinners,” he said.

True Marian spirituality, the Pope added, reveals God’s tenderness in the Church. Quoting Evangelii Gaudium, he said, “Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness.”

Pope Leo underlined that devotion to Mary inspires social transformation grounded in compassion. “She who praised God for ‘bringing down the mighty’ also brings a homely warmth to our pursuit of justice,” he said.

As the Jubilee calls for conversion and renewal, the Pope concluded with a prayer: “May Mary Most Holy, our hope, intercede for us and continue to lead us to Jesus, the crucified Lord. In Him, there is salvation for all.”

By Vatican News

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