“God chose Mary, a woman, as a companion too his salvation plan. There is no salvation without teh woman, as the Church is a woman”. So the Pope in the address of the mass in St. Peter’s Basilica with the new cardinals, on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
“what is the use of money in the bank, the comforts in apartments, the fake ‘contacts’ of the virtual world, if the heart remains cold, empty, closed? What is the use of the high levels of financial growth of privileged countries, if half the world is dying of hunger adn war, while others stand by and watch indifferently if every encounter is reduced to a momentary emotion, to a photograph that will not be remembered Anyone in a few days? or a few months?”. Pope francis asked for this in his repentance.
The pontiff is leading the Mass at the central Confession Altar with the cardinals created in the usual public composition that took place yesterday evening. Among the 21 new cardinals, of which there are 20 electors in a possible Conclave, five Italians: the former apostolic regular angelo Acerbi – the only non-elector -, the vicar of Rome Baldassare Reina, the archbishop of Turin Roberto Repole, the head of Naples Domenico Battaglia, Undersecretary for migrants of the Dicastery for Integral human Development Fabio Baggio.
The other 16 new cardinals of the tenth Franciscan Quarter are from Peru (Castillo Mattasoglio), Argentina (Bokalic Iglic), Ecuador (Cabrera Herrera), Chile (Chomalì Garib), Japan (Kikuchi), the Philippines (Siongco David) this. for the first time Serbia (Nemet), brazil (Spengler), Ivory Coast (Bessi Dogbo), Algeria (Vesco), Iran (Mathieu), Canada (Leo), Lithuania (Makrickas), Australia (Ukrainian Bichok), England (Radcliffe), india (Koovakad).
The danger when looking at the figure of the Immaculate Conception “is to think that it is a distant beauty,too high,unattainable. This is not the case”, said the Pope in his penitence.
“In fact, we too – explained Francis - receive as a gift, in Baptism, when we are free from sin and made children of God. And with that we are entrusted with the call to nurture it, like the Virgin, with filial, spousal and motherly love, grateful to receive and generous to give, men and women who said ‘thanks’ and ‘yes’, but above all with life ready to make room for the Lord. in our projects and welcome everyone with maternal tenderness brothers and sisters we meet on our journey”.
According to the Pontiff, “The Immaculate is therefore not a myth, an abstract teaching or an impossible ideal: it is a proposal for a stunning and concrete project, the model of our fully realized humanity, through which, through the grace of God, we can all help our change lives for the better.”
“Today we look to Mary Immaculate, and we ask her that her heart full of love surrenders to us, that she converts us and makes us a community where parenthood, marriage and motherhood are the rule and criterion of life – he said again. -: where families come together again, spouses share everything, fathers and mothers are present in the flesh next to their children”.
“This is the beauty that the immaculate speaks to us about, this is the ‘beauty that saves the world'”, said Francis. “We celebrate this Eucharist together with the new cardinals – he concluded -. They are brothers whom I have asked to help me in the service of a priest of the Worldwide Church. They come from many parts of the world, carriers of individual Wisdom to face enough, to contribute to the growth and spread of God’s Kingdom.
How might Pope Francis’ views on women’s roles in the Church influence future policy changes within religious institutions?
Interview Between Time.news Editor adn Expert on Papal Address
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today. The recent address by Pope Francis during the mass in St. Peter’s Basilica has certainly stirred some important conversations, especially regarding the role of women in the Church and the broader societal issues he touched upon.Could you start by summarizing the key points he made about women and salvation?
Expert: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. Pope Francis eloquently stated that Mary, as a woman, plays a crucial role in God’s salvation plan. His assertion that “there is no salvation without the woman” emphasizes the importance of female figures in both religious and societal contexts. He articulated that, symbolically, the Church embodies womanhood, signifying the vital role women play in nurturing faith and community.
Time.news Editor: That’s a powerful message. How do you think this perspective influences the Church’s stance on gender roles?
Expert: The Pope’s words could signal a shift towards greater recognition of women’s contributions within the Church. By highlighting that the Church itself is represented as a woman,it invites a deeper reflection on the need for female voices and leadership in ecclesiastical matters. This can be seen as part of a broader movement towards inclusivity within religious institutions.
Time.news Editor: Now, moving to the second part of his address, he raised some urgent social issues concerning material wealth versus human compassion. What was your reaction to his poignant question about the value of wealth in the face of global suffering?
Expert: His questioning is striking and essential. Pope francis has long been an advocate for social justice, and in this address, he challenges us to reconsider our values.His rhetorical questions about the worth of financial growth when so many are suffering push us to confront our moral responsibilities. It’s not enough to accumulate wealth or resources if we remain indifferent to the plight of others—particularly the poor and disenfranchised.
Time.news Editor: It seems like a call to action for both individuals and societal structures. What do you believe is the most important takeaway from his words on indifference and consumerism?
Expert: The takeaway is clear: our encounters and relationships must transcend superficial engagement.He criticizes a culture that reduces interactions to fleeting moments, measured by ‘likes’ and digital recognition. The Pope encourages a shift towards genuine connection and empathy—where the needs of others are seen and addressed rather than ignored. This is vital in a world increasingly fractured by economic disparity and conflict.
Time.news Editor: Remarkably relevant in our current context. How can communities and religious institutions respond to this message in practical ways?
Expert: Communities can start by fostering inclusive dialogue and creating platforms for women’s voices, ensuring portrayal in decision-making processes.On a broader level, charitable initiatives aligned with the Pope’s call for social justice could be augmented—organized efforts to address hunger and other needs at local and global levels. Religious institutions can also leverage their influence to advocate for policies that prioritize human dignity over profit margins, emphasizing solidarity with those in need.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for these insightful reflections. The Pope’s message is indeed both challenging and inspiring.As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how it resonates across different facets of society.
Expert: It certainly will be. His messages frequently enough provoke thought and action, and I am hopeful that they will ignite meaningful dialogue and change. Thank you for having me.