A City Of Refuge

Pope Francis: Mary is the 'mother of forgiveness'

Pope Francis prays before a statue of Mary in St. Peter's Basilica. Credit: Lauren Cater/CNA.

Vatican City, Jan 1, 2016 / 12:35 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Reflecting particularly on Mary’s title as “mother of mercy,” Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Jan. 1. “It is most fitting that on this day we invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary above all as ‘mother of mercy.’ The door we have opened is, in fact, a Door of Mercy,” Pope Francis said. “Those who cross its threshold are called to enter into the merciful love of the Father with complete trust and freedom from fear; they can leave this Basilica knowing that Mary is ever at their side.”