The Pope at the little emerald: Celebrating the birth of a girl who became the Mother of God

Pope Leo XIV addressed families during the Family Day celebration at the Vatican Gardens on Sunday evening. He reminded attendees of Saint John Paul II’s words: “The family is a mirror of God.” According to the Vatican media, the Pope greeted some participants personally, emphasizing the importance of family as a reflection of divine love and the gift of life. He encouraged families to see their lives as a testament to God’s grace and to embrace the values of giving and selflessness. During his address, the Pope highlighted two miracles within the family: the gift of life and the gift of love. He expressed gratitude to all present for their role in creating such profound spiritual beauty. The Pope urged individuals to view their families as a sacred space where they can rediscover God's love and understand the meaning of living for others rather than oneself. The Pope emphasized that each day offers an opportunity to look upon one’s family as a divine mirror, discovering anew the love of God. He called for a renewed commitment to living with generosity and compassion, both within the home and beyond. On September 6, Bishop Anton Jamnik celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Brezje. During the solemn Mass, he reflected on the significance of humility and close relationships within families, while warning against the dangers of isolation in today’s digital age. The traditional celebration marked the 119th anniversary of the coronation of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Help, known as the Kronanca, which was crowned in 1907 by Archbishop Anton Bonaventura Jeglič. Bishop Jamnik reminded the faithful that Mary’s kingship has nothing to do with power or wealth. Instead, she embodies humility and service, reflecting Christ’s true nature. He challenged modern society to recognize her as a symbol of quiet strength and devotion, urging believers to seek her intercession in times of trial. He also warned against the growing loneliness brought about by technology and social media, where people often search for external validation. Bishop Jamnik stressed that the real world is being replaced by a virtual one, filled with fleeting likes and praise. He called for a return to authentic human connection, genuine dialogue, and communal prayer as solutions to this crisis. The bishop placed special emphasis on the family as the fundamental unit of society, capable of rescuing individuals from individualism. Drawing on the philosophy of French thinker Fabrice Hadjadj, he noted that the family is a space where we learn that life is not a personal project, but a gift and relationship. Despite conflicts and trials, acceptance of one’s fragility and readiness to forgive are essential. He concluded his sermon with an encouragement to live joyfully, to be open to new life, and to pray for youth who might choose marriage and family. He offered comfort with the thought: “When we are with Mary, we are never alone, not even in long nights, trials, or moments of the cross. Mary of Help is closer to us than we could ever imagine.” From September 28–29, the Sixth Youth Festival took place in Crenšovci, organized by the Diocese of Maribor’s Office for Youth. The event featured daily prayers, adoration, and a variety of spiritual activities aimed at deepening young people’s faith. Guests included Father Renato Galić, a Franciscan friar from Zagreb, who spoke about five pillars of Mediterranean spirituality found in Mary’s messages: the Eucharist, reading Sacred Scripture, praying the Rosary, regular confession, and fasting. Participants shared their experiences, highlighting the emotional impact of the festival. One attendee described feeling a deep sense of joy and unity through music and worship, while another recounted how the festival reignited his faith and inspired him to live it more fully. In Genazzano on Monday evening, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Shrine of the Mother of Good Hope, marking the eve of the feast of the Assumption of Mary. In his homily, he emphasized the simplicity of God’s work and presented Mary as the dawn of a different world. He invited the faithful to create space for peace within themselves amid uncertainty. The Pope referred to Mary as the dawn of a new day and a sign of God’s fidelity. He compared her to a fragile plant that, despite its delicacy, bears witness to divine love. The Pope also recalled his early years of papal ministry, including his first visit to the shrine in May 2025, shortly after his election. This site had accompanied him throughout his life with maternal presence and wisdom. A new portrait of the Pope in prayer before the Marian icon was unveiled, created by artist Marco Innocenzi. It joins other papal portraits displayed in the shrine, including those of Popes Urban VIII, Pius IX, John XXIII, and John Paul II, all of whom visited Genazzano. The Pope also presented a golden wreath to Mary as a token of special honor and connection to the shrine. He emphasized that in Mary, the magnificence of God found its human dwelling. The Pope called on the faithful to ask for “a good world,” enabling them to receive and carry forward God’s word with courage and discernment. He drew inspiration from Saint Thomas of Villanova, who questioned why the Evangelists spoke little about Mary’s birth, growth, and life. The Pope explained that silence invites deeper contemplation. Despite the Gospel of Matthew containing no recorded words from Mary, her presence and the presence of God’s Son in her transformed Joseph’s life and the entire history of salvation. Mary transcends expectations and conventional patterns of human behavior. In her, divine greatness finds a human home, and God becomes God with us. The Pope cautioned against pride and self-centeredness, noting that God chose the humblest historical circumstances for His Son’s coming. His kingdom is rooted in humility, not domination. Divine omnipotence is revealed not in control, but in creation, service, and care for life. The path chosen by God in Mary is simple and quiet, yet no less powerful and transformative. Jesus’ path was similarly unassuming. Christians are therefore called to prioritize Christ’s way of life, decisions, and direction over other paths. The Pope urged the faithful toward contemplative prayer, where one discovers what the world does not yet see but already carries within, a new strength. He stressed that this is not an escape into imagination, but a maturing of the soul.