Pope Francis on Anniversary of Miraculous Intercession of Our Lady during WWII - Asks her to "obtain for all humanity the gift of harmony and peace." FULL TEXT
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LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCISON THE OCCASION OF THE 80th ANNIVERSARY
OF THE VOTE FOR MARIA SALUS ROMAN PEOPLE
Pope Francis writes a letter to mark the 80th anniversary of the vow made in Rome in front of the Marian icon ‘Salus Populi Romani’ after the city was liberated from the Nazis. This is the first time the event has been commemorated in this way, writes the Pope in his letter to the Viceregent of Rome, Auxiliary Bishop Baldassare Reina, which was published on June 4th. On 4 June 1944, the people of Rome, together with their bishop, Pope Pius XII, implored Our Lady to save the city when a direct clash between the German army and the Anglo-American Allies was imminent and the city was facing "the nightmare of Nazi devastation". Eighty years later, this is an occasion, the Pope said, “to pray for the victims of the Second World War and to reflect anew on the terrible scourge of war.”
_______________________________________________
To Dear Brother
Monsignor Baldassarre REINA
Vicegerent for the Diocese of Rome
I am spiritually united with the entire diocesan community, which celebrates for the first time the liturgical memory of Santa Maria Salus Populi Romani, also remembering the vow with which the people of Rome, together with their Pastor, Pope Pius XII, made to Our Lady the 4 June 1944 to implore the safety of the city, when the head-on clash between the German army and that of the Anglo-American allies was about to take place.
Devotion to the ancient icon kept in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore has been alive for centuries in the hearts of the Romans, who turned to it to present supplications and invocations, especially during plagues, natural disasters and wars. The salient events of the religious and civil life of Rome found an echo in front of this image. It is therefore not surprising that the Roman people wanted to rely once again on Maria Salus Populi Romani while the City was experiencing the nightmare of Nazi devastation.
Eighty years later, the memory of that event so full of meaning is intended to be an opportunity for prayer for those who lost their lives in the Second World War and for renewed meditation on the terrible scourge of war. Too many conflicts in different parts of the world are still open today. I am thinking in particular of the tormented Ukraine, of Palestine and Israel, of Sudan, of Myanmar, where weapons still roar and more human blood continues to be shed. These are tragedies that affect countless innocent victims, whose cries of terror and suffering call into question everyone's consciences: we cannot and must not give in to the logic of weapons!
Twenty years after the end of the Second World War, in 1965, Pope Saint Paul VI, speaking at the UN, asked himself: «Will the world ever change the particularistic and belligerent mentality that has so far woven so much of its history? » (October 4, 1965, AAS 57 [1965], 882). This question, which still awaits an answer, stimulates everyone to work concretely in favor of peace in Europe and throughout the world. Peace is a gift from God, which must also today find hearts available to welcome it and work to be architects of reconciliation and witnesses of hope.
I hope that the initiatives promoted to commemorate the popular vote for the Mother of God, in the four places that were protagonists of that event, can revive among Romans the intention of being builders of true peace everywhere, relaunching brotherhood as an essential condition for recomposing conflicts and hostility. Those who possess it within themselves and, with courage and gentleness, commit themselves to creating bonds, establishing relationships between people, and smoothing out tensions in the family, at work, at school, among friends, can be builders of peace. He thus realizes the evangelical beatitude: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Mt 5.9).
May Mary, Mediatrix of grace, always vigilant and caring towards all her children, obtain for all humanity the gift of harmony and peace. I entrust all the inhabitants of Rome, especially the elderly, the sick, the lonely and in difficulty, to the maternal intercession of Maria Salus Populi Romani. May she, the Virgin of tenderness and consolation, strengthen faith, hope and charity to radiate God's love and mercy into the world. With these sentiments I assure you of my prayer and I heartily impart my Blessing.
Rome, San Giovanni in Laterano, 4 June 2024
FRANCIS
_______________________________________________
To Dear Brother
Monsignor Baldassarre REINA
Vicegerent for the Diocese of Rome
I am spiritually united with the entire diocesan community, which celebrates for the first time the liturgical memory of Santa Maria Salus Populi Romani, also remembering the vow with which the people of Rome, together with their Pastor, Pope Pius XII, made to Our Lady the 4 June 1944 to implore the safety of the city, when the head-on clash between the German army and that of the Anglo-American allies was about to take place.
Devotion to the ancient icon kept in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore has been alive for centuries in the hearts of the Romans, who turned to it to present supplications and invocations, especially during plagues, natural disasters and wars. The salient events of the religious and civil life of Rome found an echo in front of this image. It is therefore not surprising that the Roman people wanted to rely once again on Maria Salus Populi Romani while the City was experiencing the nightmare of Nazi devastation.
Eighty years later, the memory of that event so full of meaning is intended to be an opportunity for prayer for those who lost their lives in the Second World War and for renewed meditation on the terrible scourge of war. Too many conflicts in different parts of the world are still open today. I am thinking in particular of the tormented Ukraine, of Palestine and Israel, of Sudan, of Myanmar, where weapons still roar and more human blood continues to be shed. These are tragedies that affect countless innocent victims, whose cries of terror and suffering call into question everyone's consciences: we cannot and must not give in to the logic of weapons!
Twenty years after the end of the Second World War, in 1965, Pope Saint Paul VI, speaking at the UN, asked himself: «Will the world ever change the particularistic and belligerent mentality that has so far woven so much of its history? » (October 4, 1965, AAS 57 [1965], 882). This question, which still awaits an answer, stimulates everyone to work concretely in favor of peace in Europe and throughout the world. Peace is a gift from God, which must also today find hearts available to welcome it and work to be architects of reconciliation and witnesses of hope.
I hope that the initiatives promoted to commemorate the popular vote for the Mother of God, in the four places that were protagonists of that event, can revive among Romans the intention of being builders of true peace everywhere, relaunching brotherhood as an essential condition for recomposing conflicts and hostility. Those who possess it within themselves and, with courage and gentleness, commit themselves to creating bonds, establishing relationships between people, and smoothing out tensions in the family, at work, at school, among friends, can be builders of peace. He thus realizes the evangelical beatitude: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Mt 5.9).
May Mary, Mediatrix of grace, always vigilant and caring towards all her children, obtain for all humanity the gift of harmony and peace. I entrust all the inhabitants of Rome, especially the elderly, the sick, the lonely and in difficulty, to the maternal intercession of Maria Salus Populi Romani. May she, the Virgin of tenderness and consolation, strengthen faith, hope and charity to radiate God's love and mercy into the world. With these sentiments I assure you of my prayer and I heartily impart my Blessing.
Rome, San Giovanni in Laterano, 4 June 2024
FRANCIS
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