On January 1, 2025, Pope Francis delivered a homily during the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, at St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the 58th World Day of Peace.

In his address, the Pope emphasized the profound significance of Jesus being “born of a woman,” highlighting the tangible and human nature of God through the Virgin Mary. He cautioned against perceiving God in abstract terms, underscoring that Jesus’ humanity allows for a personal relationship with the divine. The Pope stated, “God is tangible, he is human, he was born of a woman; he has a face and a name, and calls us to have a relationship with him.”

Pope Francis also reflected on the humility and vulnerability of Christ’s birth, noting that Jesus came into the world as a helpless infant in need of maternal care. This choice, he explained, reveals God’s approach of closeness, compassion, and tenderness. He remarked, “By the frailty of his humanity and his concern for the weak and vulnerable, Jesus shows us the face of God.”

The Pope called upon the faithful to recognize and serve Christ in the faces of those who are vulnerable and in need, mirroring the care that Mary provided to Jesus. He urged, “If he, who is the Son, became so small as to be held in a mother’s arms… this means that today too he comes among us in all those who need similar care.”

Concluding his homily, Pope Francis entrusted the new year to Mary’s intercession, praying for peace and the grace to see and serve Jesus in every person, especially those who are suffering or marginalized.