Aglona, Latvia, Sep 24, 2018 / 09:12 am
Mary's witness of standing beneath the cross of her Son teaches Catholics how to be close to those around them who are suffering, the pope said at Mass Monday in Latvia.
The Gospel of John says Mary stood near the cross of Christ, "close to her Son," the pope said Sept. 24. "She stood there, at the foot of the cross, with unwavering conviction, fearless and immovable."
"This is the main way that Mary shows herself. She stands near those who suffer, those from whom the world flees, including those who have been put on trial, condemned by all, deported." Even those on the very fringes of society: "the Mother also stands close by them, steadfast beneath their cross of incomprehension and suffering," he said.
Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Shrine of the Mother of God in Aglona for the third day of a four-day visit to the Baltic states. His last day will be spent in Estonia.