Pope Francis had a full weekend with regular audiences and a consistory to create new cardinals Dec. 7 and a Mass with the new cardinals the next morning. But he did not miss his traditional visit to the center of Rome to pay homage to Mary and her Immaculate Conception.
ROME (CNS) -- With the city of Rome presenting a gauntlet of major roadworks and construction projects ahead of the opening of the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis used the disruptions as an opportunity to encourage people to do some spiritual renovation before the jubilee.
On a cloudy afternoon with the threat of rain Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis went to the center of Rome to continue the tradition of praying before a statue of Mary high atop a column near the Spanish Steps.
At dawn that morning, Rome firefighters climbed nearly 90 feet using a truck and ladder to place a ring of white flowers on Mary's outstretched arm and bouquets at her feet, continuing a Roman tradition that began in 1949.
Pope Francis brought his own basket of white roses tied with a yellow and white Vatican ribbon, and, as is his custom, he recited a prayer to Mary rather than giving a speech to the thousands of Romans, visitors and tourists who joined him.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri was there. He has been dogged with criticism about how the major jubilee projects, most of which are still incomplete, have snarled traffic and disappointed tourists hoping to see sights now covered in scaffolding.
Pope Francis said Mary knows the work is causing "quite a few inconveniences, yet it is a sign that Rome is alive, renewing itself, trying to adapt to needs, to being more welcoming and more functional."
Speaking to Mary, he said her "mother's gaze" sees beyond the construction chaos. "And I seem to hear your voice that with wisdom tells us, 'My children, these works are fine, however, be careful: do not forget the worksites of the soul!"
"'The real Jubilee is not outside,'" he imagined her saying, "'it is inside: inside you, inside hearts, in family and social relationships. It is within that you must work to prepare the way for the coming Lord.'"
And, the pope added, "it's a good opportunity to make a good confession, to ask forgiveness for all our sins. God forgives everything. God forgives always."
Pope Francis thanked Mary for the suggestion "because, without wanting to, we risk being totally caught up in organizing, in all the things to be done," with the risk that "the grace of the Holy Year, which is a time of spiritual rebirth, of forgiveness and social liberation," can be stifled.
He also asked people to pray for the mayor, "who has so much to do."
With the theme, "Pilgrims of Hope," the pope plans to open the Holy Year at St. Peter's Basilica before Mass Dec. 24. He also will open a Holy Door at Rome's Rebibbia prison Dec. 26. The Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran will open Dec. 29; at the Basilica of St. Mary Major Jan. 1; and at St. Paul Outside the Walls Jan. 5.
Pope Francis thanked Mary "because still, in this time poor in hope, you give us Jesus, our hope!"
He also told Mary that "the flowers we offer you are meant to express our love and gratitude; but you especially see and appreciate those hidden flowers, which are the prayers, the sighs (and) the tears, especially of the little ones and the poor."
As the pope's car approached the Spanish Steps, a woman jumped the metal barrier along the street, sending security scrambling. Part of a group of women who want the pope to condemn bull fighting and have interrupted other services, she was apprehended immediately.
On this way back to the Vatican, Pope Francis stopped at Rome's new Museo del Corso in Palazzo Cipolla to see Marc Chagall's White Crucifixion, which is on exhibit there until Jan. 27. The Vatican press office said it is a work "particularly dear" to the pope.
By Cindy Wooden
This article was originally published by USCCB on December 8, 2024.
