On the occasion of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis observed the solemn day by bestowing three Golden Roses upon the ancient Roman icon of 'Maria Salus Populi Romani' (Our Lady of Health of the Roman People) housed in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This venerable tradition, symbolizing the papal blessing, is a gesture not seen since Pope Paul V in 1613, marking the Pope's deep connection with the Mother of God.
In a poignant Act of Veneration at Piazza di Spagna, adjacent to Rome’s central Piazza di Spagna, Pope Francis continued his prayers for the gift of peace in the world. After placing a wreath of roses at the foot of the towering 39-foot-high column bearing the statue of the Virgin Mary, he invoked the Virgin's presence, expressing gratitude for her "discreet and constant" comfort and hope.
The Pope's prayer extended to encompass all peoples oppressed by injustice, poverty, and war, with a special mention of the tormented Ukrainian people and the Palestinian and Israeli populations caught in a cycle of violence. He empathetically acknowledged the grief of mothers who have lost their children to war and terrorism and those facing the challenges of desperate journeys or addiction.
Pope Francis, in his supplication to the Blessed Virgin, sought protection for women victims of violence, asking for the drying of their tears and those of their loved ones. He concluded with a powerful plea for conversion, emphasizing that true peace requires forgiveness and repentance. The Pope underscored the transformative power of grace in changing hearts, echoing the belief that the world can only change when individuals, starting with themselves, embrace the path of repentance.
"The world changes if hearts change; and everyone must say: starting with mine. But only God can change the human heart with his grace," said Pope Francis, imploring the Blessed Virgin to guide the way of conversion. The prayer concluded with a fervent appeal for the coming of the kingdom of love, justice, and peace, echoing the timeless call for divine intervention in a troubled world.