The
Immaculate Conception of Mary is “inscribed in God’s plan; it is the
fruit of God’s love which saves the world.”
These were Pope Francis’
comments during his weekly Angelus address for the second Sunday of
Advent which coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
On
this Feast, the Holy Father said, our gaze turns to the “beauty of the
Mother of Jesus, our Mother!” It is with great joy, he continued, that
the Church contemplates the words of Saint Luke “full of grace” (Lk
1:28). Mary, moreover, guides us as we journey towards Christmas,
teaching us “how to live this time of Advent waiting for the Lord.”
Pope
Francis went on to say that the Immaculate Conception was inscribed in
God’s plan; it was the fruit of God’s love whereby the world was saved.
After
leading the crowds in Saint Peter’s Square in praying the Angelus, the
Pope expressed spiritual closeness to the Church in North America, which
is celebrating the 350th anniversary of its first parish: Notre-Dame de Québec.
The Holy Father concluded his Angelus address by wishing everyone a happy feast of Our Lady, and a good lunch.