Bad weather and pandemic restrictions prevented people from attending the Pope's Angelus on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
The pope said he felt sorry for not attending the traditional homage to the Blessed Mother in Piazza di Spagna.
POPE FRANCIS
“As you know, this afternoon the traditional veneration of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza di Spagna will not take place, to avoid the risk of a crowd gathering, as disposed by the civil authorities, whom we need to obey. But this does not keep us from offering our Mother the flowers that she enjoys the most: prayer, penance, a heart open to grace.”
The pope went on his own early in the morning to this popular square in Rome. In this way, during the middle of a pandemic, he maintained the tradition initiated by Pope John XXIII.
Pope Francis said that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a good occasion to remember that it is possible to improve one’s life. He also warned against waiting too long to do so.
POPE FRANCIS
Be careful. It does not pay to be clever – to continually postpone a serious evaluation of one’s own life, taking advantage of the Lord’s patience.
Pope Francis recommended following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary and suggested taking her as an inspiration. He then said goodbye to those present and to those who followed the Angelus by streaming.
Javier Romero
Translation: Christian Campos
