Bucharest, Romania, May 31, 2019 / 10:18 am
Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Bucharest for the feast of the Visitation Friday, encouraging Catholics in Romania to imitate Mary's humble joy in the little things in life.
"Mary journeys, encounters, and rejoices because she carries something greater than herself: she is the bearer of a blessing. Like her, may we too be unafraid to bear the blessing that Romania needs," Pope Francis said May 31 in Bucharest's St. Joseph Cathedral.
"This is the secret of every Christian: God is in our midst as a powerful saviour. Our certainty of this enables us, like Mary, to sing and exult with joy," he said.
Pope Francis said that contemplating Mary can help one realize the quiet sacrifices, devotion, and self-denial made by so many mothers and grandmothers who are unafraid to 'roll up their sleeves' and shoulder difficulties for the sake of their children and families.