On the Solemnity of the Assumption

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Dear brothers and sisters,

At the conclusion of this Celebration we turn to the Virgin Mary with the prayer of the Angelus. The path of Mary towards Heaven began with that “yes” pronounced in Nazareth, in response to the celestial Messenger who announce the will of God for her. And in reality it is just like that: every “yes” to God is a step towards Heaven, towards eternal life. Because this is what the Lord wants: that all his children have life in abundance! God wants everyone with Him, in his house!

Unfortunately, painful news has come from Egypt. I wish to ensure my prayers for all the victims and their families, the injured and all those who are suffering. Let us pray together for peace, dialogue and reconciliation in that dear nation and throughout the world. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us. Let’s all say it, Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

I wish to recall the 25th anniversary of the Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem, of Blessed Pope John Paul II, on the diginity and vocation of women. This document is full of ideas that deserve to be taken up and developed; it is at the base of all that is the figure of Mary, in fact it was released on the occasion of a Marian Year. Let us make our prayer placed at the end of this Apostolic Letter (cfr. n.31) so that, meditating the biblical mystery of the woman, condensed in Mary, all women will find themselves and the fullness of their vocation, and in the whole Church may deepen and understand more the great and important role of women.

I thank all present, citizens of Castel Gandolfo and pilgrims! I thank you and the people of Castel Gandolfo, thank you very much. And all the pilgrims, in particular those from Guinea with their bishop.

I greet with affection the alumni from the Passionist College “Michael Ham” from Vicente López, Argentina; as well as the youth from musical band from the Colegio José de Jesús Rebolledo of Coatepec, México.

And now, all together, we pray to Our Lady:

I wish you a happy feast today, day of Our Lady: happy holiday and have a good lunch!