Vatican City: On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis presided over Mass alongside 21 newly appointed Cardinals, urging the faithful to transcend materialism and embrace lives of love, compassion, and connection.

“What is the point of having a wealthy bank account, a luxurious home, or countless virtual interactions if our hearts remain cold, empty, and closed off?” Pope Francis asked during his homily.

He challenged the global community further, questioning, “What good is significant economic growth in privileged nations if half the world is starving or engulfed in conflict, while others remain indifferent?”

The Pope presented the Virgin Mary as a model of transformative love and humility, emphasizing her heart, “free from sin and open to the Spirit—a heart that gives itself entirely.” Her beauty, he explained, is accessible to all and calls us to respond by imitating her selflessness.

“Mary’s fruitfulness lies in her willingness to die to herself to bring life to others, to forget her own needs in caring for the poor and vulnerable who seek her aid,” he said, urging believers to embody her virtues and, through God’s grace, work to create a better world.

Speaking extemporaneously, Pope Francis highlighted the vital role of women, affirming that “there is no salvation without women. The Church itself is feminine.”

He cautioned against the pervasive illusion of self-sufficiency, which he described as a source of human suffering. “Neither love nor joy can grow from the illusion of independence,” the Pope noted, warning that a life centered solely on personal gain leads to isolation and emptiness.

Calling for hearts open to giving and hands ready to serve, Pope Francis urged believers to follow Mary’s example. “Let us turn to Mary Immaculate and ask her to captivate us with her loving heart. May she guide us to become a community shaped by filial, spousal, and maternal love,” he prayed.

Such a transformation, he said, can bring unity to families, solidarity to communities, and healing to a divided world.

In closing, the Pope acknowledged the presence of the 21 new Cardinals, whom he described as wise leaders from diverse parts of the world. Their contributions, he said, would support his mission as Pastor of the Universal Church and help advance the Kingdom of God.