Pope's 'Angelus' on feast of Immaculate Conception

(December 8, 2010) Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance of seeing and hearing him speak in several languages. But this Wednesday, the general audience was not held because of the solemn feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, a holiday in the Vatican and Italy. Instead, the Pope addressed the faithful in St. Peter’s Square and prayed the midday ‘Angelus’ with them. In the evening on Immaculate Conception Day the Pope observes the tradition of paying homage to the statue of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Rome. The Church’s teaching on the Immaculate Conception affirms that with "a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God," the Blessed Virgin Mary, unlike the rest of humanity, was "preserved free from all stain of original sin" from the moment of her conception, in anticipation of the merits of her son Jesus Christ.
In fact, Pope Benedict XVI’s midday ‘Angelus’ address on Wednesday was a reflection on the Immaculate Conception. Speaking in Italian, the Pope recalled the Gospel narration of the Annunciation, and drew attention to the greeting of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, “Rejoice, Oh full of Grace, the Lord is with you,” which he said, reveals the most profound identity of Mary. “Full of Grace” is the name by which, so to say, God Himself knows her, the Pope observed. In fact, the Pope continued, from the moment she was conceived by her parents, Mary has been the beneficiary of an unusual preference by God, who, in His eternal plan, chose her to be the mother of his Son made man, and consequently, preserved her from original sin. Hence the angel addressed her by that name, which literally means "always filled with the love of God” with His grace.
The Pope further said that the mystery of the Immaculate Conception is a source of inner light, hope and comfort. Amidst life’s trials, especially in the contradictions that man experiences within and around him, Mary, the Mother of Christ, tells us that grace is greater than sin, that the mercy of God is more powerful than evil and knows how to transform it into good. Unfortunately, every day we experience the evil that manifests itself in many ways in relationships and in the events, but which has its roots in the human heart, which is wounded, sick and is unable to heal itself. Sacred Scripture, the Pope pointed out, reveals that the source of all evil is disobedience to God's will, and that death has reigns because human freedom has yielded to the temptation of the evil one. But God’s plan of love and life does never fails; and through a long and patient process of reconciliation He prepares a new and eternal covenant, sealed in the blood of his Son, who in order to offer Himself in atonement is "born of a woman." This woman, the Virgin Mary, in anticipation of the redemptive death of Her Son was preserved from the stain of sin from conception. “So, with her immaculate heart, she tells us: trust Jesus, He will save you,” the Pope added.
Pope Benedict also spoke in other languages, including in English:

Listen:
I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for this Angelus. Today the Church joyfully celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. By her prayers, may our hearts and minds be kept free from sin, so that like Mary we may be spiritually prepared to welcome Christ. Let us turn to her, the Immaculate, who brought Christ to us, and ask her now to bring us to Him. Upon each of you and your loved ones at home, I invoke God’s abundant blessings!