Mary, he said, was someone who knew how to contemplate this glory of Jesus that was masked by his humanity. He prayed that she would help Christians "to be with him in silent prayer, to allow ourselves to be illuminated by his presence, to carry in our heart, through the darkest of nights, a reflection of his glory."
After leading pilgrims in the traditional Angelus prayer, Francis offered special prayers for the victims of a March 8 fire at a safe house for girls in Guatemala.
"Brothers and sisters, I express my closeness to the people of Guatemala who live in mourning due to the grave and sad news of the fire that erupted inside the Virgin of the Assumption Safe House, causing victims and wounded among the girls who lived there," he said.
The fire occurred March 8 after a group of girls and teenagers rioted to protest what they alleged was physical and sexual abuse at the facilities. Authorities said that some of the children set fire to mattresses and the fire then spread to the rest of the facility.
The center, located in the San Antonio area of the town of San José Pinula, was created to provide protection for about 400 girls and teenagers abandoned and at risk. However, it currently houses close to 750 children, including those in trouble with the law.
According to State officials, the girls who died in the fire were unable to get out because they were locked in a room, apparently as a punishment. The previous night, some 60 children escaped from the center
In his address, Pope Francis prayed that the Lord would "welcome their souls, heal the wounded, console their grieving families and the entire nation."
He also invited faithful to pray with him "for all boys and girls who are victims of violence, mistreatment, exploitation and wars."
"This is a plague," he said. "This is a hidden cry that must be heard by all of us and which we can't continue to pretend not to see or to hear."
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.