Fatima, Portugal, May 12, 2017 / 13:47 pm
Pope Francis asked pilgrims in Fatima on Friday evening to think about the qualities the Virgin Mary possesses, being careful not to make her into something she is not – especially elevating her mercifulness above that of her Son.
"Pilgrims with Mary … but which Mary? A teacher of the spiritual life, the first to follow Jesus on the 'narrow way' of the cross by giving us an example, or a Lady 'unapproachable' and impossible to imitate?"
"The Virgin Mary of the Gospel, venerated by the Church at prayer, or a Mary of our own making: one who restrains the arm of a vengeful God; one sweeter than Jesus the ruthless judge; one more merciful than the Lamb slain for us?" Pope Francis asked May 12.
It is through Mary's cooperation and participation in salvation that she also became a channel of God's mercy, he explained, praying that with Mary, we might "each of us become a sign and sacrament of the mercy of God, who pardons always and pardons everything."