Pope Leo XIV Casts Mary as Church’s Model, Member and Mother in 1964 Vatican II Catechesis
Updated
Updated · Vatican News - English · May 13
Pope Leo XIV Casts Mary as Church’s Model, Member and Mother in 1964 Vatican II Catechesis
7 articles · Updated · Vatican News - English · May 13
At his May 13 general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV said the Virgin Mary is the “perfect model” of what the Church is called to be and urged Catholics to love and serve the Church through her example.
The catechesis continued his series on Vatican II’s 1964 constitution Lumen gentium, whose final chapter treats Mary as the Church’s model, pre-eminent member and mother.
Leo said Mary’s role does not rival Christ’s unique mediation; instead, citing Lumen gentium, he said she helps bring the faithful into closer union with Jesus.
Marking the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, the pope asked believers to examine whether they live the faith humbly, obey the Church’s pastors and seek Mary’s intercession as faithful disciples.
He closed by calling Mary “the woman who is the icon of the Mystery” and praying that the Holy Spirit deepen Catholics’ love for the Holy Mother Church.
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