Pope says Church must promote greater study of Mary

By CathNews New Zealand

September 12th, 2025

Pope Leo XIV prays before a statue of Mary and the Child Jesus behind the relics of Sts Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati during the Mass for their canonisation in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on September 7, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

The Catholic Church needs the theological study and model of Mary, and such study should be promoted, Pope Leo XIV has said. Source: Catholic News Service.

During an audience with some 600 scholars on September 6, the Pope called for a promotion of Mariology in parishes, religious life and educational centres. Mary, the mother of Jesus, “never ceases to open doors, build bridges, break down walls and help humanity to live in peace and in the harmony of diversity”, he said.

The Pontifical International Marian Academy organised the 26th International Mariological Marian Congress in Rome from September 3-6, discussing the theme, “Jubilee and Synodality: A Church with a Marian Face and Practice”. Orthodox, Protestant and Muslim scholars were among those who participated in the event.

In his address, Pope Leo underlined the pontifical academy’s importance as being “a forum for thought, spirituality and dialogue, tasked with coordinating the studies and scholars of Mariology, in the service of a genuine and fruitful” Marian piety.

“The Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, teaches us to be the holy people of God,” he said. “Mary is always ready to respond by first listening to the Word.

“A Church with a Marian heart always better preserves and understands the hierarchy of truths of faith, integrating mind and heart, body and soul, universal and local, person and community, humanity and cosmos,” Pope Leo continued.

“It is a Church that does not shy away from asking herself, others and God uncomfortable questions – ‘How shall this be?’ – and to walk the demanding paths of faith and love.

“Contemplating the mystery of God and history of Mary’s inner gaze protects us from the distortions of propaganda, ideology and unhealthy information, which can never speak a disarmed and disarming word, and opens us to divine gratuitousness, which alone makes it possible for people, populations and cultures to walk together in peace.

“This is why the Church needs Mariology,” he said. “It should be considered and promoted in academic centres, shrines and parish communities, associations and movements, institutes of consecrated life, as well as in places where contemporary cultures are forged, valuing the limitless inspiration offered by art, music and literature.”

FULL STORY

Pope: Church needs to promote greater study, understanding of Mary | USCCB (By Carol Glatz/CNS)