Pope Leo: Mary’s song, the Magnificat, strengthens our
hope
During Mass in Castel Gandolfo for the Solemnity of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Leo XIV marvels how Mary's 'yes'
gives hope to us today, saying we celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, which
changed the course of history.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"Mary’s song, Magnificat, strengthens the
hope of the humble, the hungry, the faithful servants of God."
Pope Leo XIV gave this reminder during the Mass for the
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at
the Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo
on 15 August 2025.
The Holy Father began his homily by observing that although
today is not Sunday, "we celebrate in another way the Paschal Mystery of
Jesus, which changed the course of history."
READ
POPE LEO XIV'S FULL HOMILY HERE
"In Mary of Nazareth," he continued, "we
recognize our own history: the history of the Church, immersed in the common
lot of humanity. By taking flesh in her, the God of life and of freedom has
conquered death."
Pope Leo XIV
celebrates Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother
(@Vatican Media)
The Pope recalled that on this Solemnity we contemplate how
God overcomes death, yet never without us. "His is the Kingdom, but,"
he explained, "ours is the 'yes' to his love that can change
everything."
On the Cross, the Pope said, Jesus freely uttered that “yes”
which would strip death of its power—the death that still spreads wherever our
hands crucify and our hearts remain imprisoned by fear and mistrust. On the
Cross, trust prevailed; so did love, which sees what is yet to come; and
forgiveness triumphed.
That 'yes' still lives
The Pope recalled to those present in the parish that Mary
was there by the Cross united with her Son.
"In our day, we are like Mary whenever we do not flee,
whenever we make Jesus’ 'yes' our own.
"That 'yes,'" Pope Leo marveled, "still lives
and resists death in the martyrs of our time, in witnesses of faith and
justice, of gentleness and peace. Thus this day of joy becomes also a day that
calls us to choose—how and for whom we shall live."
The Pope went on to remember how we listened to the Gospel
passage on the Visitation, in which Saint Luke recorded "a decisive
moment" in Mary’s vocation.
Magnificat
As "we celebrate the crowning moment of her life,"
Pope Leo said, "It is beautiful to recall that day."
While he observed that "every human story, even that of
the Mother of God, is brief on this earth and comes to an end," he went on
to reflect, "Yet nothing is lost. When a life ends, its uniqueness shines
even more clearly."
The Pope explained that Mary's Magnificat radiated the
light of all her days, and that the surprising fruitfulness of barren Elizabeth
confirmed Mary in her trust, for "it anticipated the fruitfulness of her
'yes,' which extends to the fruitfulness of the Church and of all humanity
whenever God’s renewing Word is welcomed."
Mass for the Solemnity
of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Pontifical Parish of Saint
Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo (@Vatican Media)
God breaks through our despair
Reflecting on Friday's Solemnity, the Holy Father
highlighted that the Resurrection enters our world even today.
"The words and choices of death may seem to prevail,
but the life of God breaks through our despair through concrete experiences of
fraternity and new gestures of solidarity," and "prior to being our
final destiny, the Resurrection transforms—in soul and body—our dwelling on
earth."
Hence, the Pope reflected, "Mary’s song, Magnificat,
strengthens the hope of the humble, the hungry, the faithful servants of
God."
God's Word continues to be brought to light
Pope Leo reassured that despite something seeming
impossible, God’s Word continues to be brought to light.
"When bonds are born, with which we confront evil with
good and death with life," he said, "we see that 'nothing will be
impossible with God' (Lk 1:37)."
Pope Leo recalls poor and persecuted Christian communities
The Pope warned against when self-reliance prevails and
consciences are dulled. "Instead of letting the old world pass away, one
clings to it still, seeking the help of the rich and powerful, which often
comes with contempt for the poor and lowly."
However, Pope Leo acknowledged, the Church lives in her fragile
members, and she is renewed by their Magnificat.
"Even in our own day, the poor and persecuted Christian
communities, the witnesses of tenderness and forgiveness in places of conflict,
and the peacemakers and bridge-builders in a broken world, are the joy of the
Church," he reaffirmed, saying, "They are her enduring fruitfulness,
the first fruits of the Kingdom to come."
Let us be converted by their witness
Recalling that many of them, like the elderly Elizabeth and
the young Mary, are women, "Paschal women, apostles of the
Resurrection," Pope Leo implored, "Let us be converted by their
witness!"
Addressing the faithful, Pope Leo stressed that "when
in this life we 'choose life,' "we are right to see in Mary, assumed
into heaven, our own destiny."
"She," the Pope continued, "is given to us as
the sign that the Resurrection of Jesus was no isolated event, no mere
exception."
Mary: wondrous union of grace and freedom
Mary, the Pope said, is that wondrous union of grace and
freedom, which urges each of us to have trust, courage, and participation in
the life of God’s people," especially as she says, “He who is mighty has
done great things for me” (Lk 1:49).
With this in mind, Pope Leo said, "may each of us know
this joy and proclaim it with a new song. Let us not be afraid to choose
life!"
Even if "it may seem risky and imprudent. Many
voices whisper: “Why bother? Let it go. Think of your own interests,” he said;
such suggestions are "voices of death," and we instead "are
disciples of Christ." "It is His love that drives us—soul and body—in
our time."
Pope Leo concluded by stressing that only when we, as
individuals and as the Church, no longer live for ourselves, life spreads and
life can prevail.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-08/pope-leo-xiv-on-assumption-castel-gandolfo-15-august-2025.html
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