In his Angelus address of January 1, Pope Francis reflected on the
Blessed Virgin Mary’s “silent and attentive” cooperation with the Lord
as seeks to understand “what God wants from her day by day.”
“God asks Mary not only to be the mother of His only Son, but also to
cooperate with the Son for the plan of salvation, so that in her and
through her, the humble servant, great works of divine mercy can be
fulfilled,” the Pope told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
The Pope also reflected on the shepherds’ visit to the manger and
said, “While, like the shepherds, we contemplate the icon of the Child
in the arms of His Mother, we feel growing in our hearts a sense of
immense gratitude toward the one who gave the world the Savior.”