“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. … I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.” (Santa Marta, Vatican City, 29 June 2022)
These are the words contained in Pope Francis’ testament where he outlines his last wishes. His deep devotion to Mary is pervasive and profound.
On one hand, there is no surprise: Pope Francis (1936–2025) has always been very Marian in his spirituality and practices. Ella Es Mi Mamá (“She is my Mum”) is the title of a 2014 book written in Spanish that contained a long interview with Pope Francis by the Brazilian priest Alexander Awi Mello. During the interview, Francis highlighted the filial affection and devotion that he has for Mary.
From childhood to adulthood, from Argentina to the Vatican, from piety to theology, in his daily spiritual practices and devotions, Marianism was a significant factor shaping the Pope’s life. The apartment he lived in was replete with Marian images. The rooms where he officially met with people were furnished with portraits of Mary. His own daily clothes carried objects associated with Mary. His prayers were directed to her. His affections and tender thoughts were oriented towards Mary. All aspects of his life, thought, and ministry—none excluded—were strongly impacted by his Mariology. His testament just confirmed all that.
On the other hand, though, one would have expected that the ‘vicar of Christ’ (a title that popes claim for themselves) would dedicate his last thought to Jesus Christ, the Savior and Lord. He did not. Instead his focus was thoroughly on Mary: trusting Mary, praying to Mary, thanking Mary.
Perhaps in the Pope’s view, the person of Jesus is implied and his work assumed. According to the Pope, Jesus always acts according to “the logic of inclusion” and Mary’s mediation is therefore an example of such necessary mediation. Since there are “organic links” between the Son and the Mother, she is always involved in what the Son does.
However, this is not the way the Bible presents the gospel. Mark’s Gospel begins by saying that “this is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (1:1). Everything revolves around Jesus. He is the God-man, the incarnate Son of God. If we miss the centre, we are in danger of missing the whole of the gospel. Jesus himself says the same: to his puzzled disciples who could not grasp what was going on, the risen Jesus made sure that they would focus their attention and faith in him: “Beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, he explained to them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27).
Moreover, at Corinth, some influential apostles (e.g. Paul, Apollos, Cephas) had laboured to build the church and some people wanted them to be elevated as if they were the pillars of their faith. Paul, however, was determined “to know nothing except Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2). The whole gospel is Christ-centred, otherwise it is another gospel. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5).
If Jesus Christ is the centre of the gospel and the gospel itself, Pope Francis’ testament should spur a series of questions:
– who are we ultimately trusting for our life and salvation?
– who are we praying to receive help, comfort and direction?
– who are we thanking for what we have received?
The Pope consistently answered: Mary. Followers of Christ should say: Jesus Christ. What would your answer be?
Pope Francis’ testament offers an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with Roman Catholic friends. After offering condolences on the loss of a leader, reading the final will of the Pope could provide food for thought and openings for important conversations on the gospel.
The last pope to share such a high view of Mary was John Paul II (1920–2005). His motto was totus tuus ( “totally yours”), and his veneration of Marian icons and his practice of Marian devotions were very evident. Benedict XVI (1927–2022) has been portrayed as a less Marian Pope, although he prayed to Mary on a daily basis and included many Marian elements in all his work. After a short recess, Pope Francis’ pontificate was significantly shaped by Marian theology and veneration, de-centering the gospel and displacing faith in Christ. And this is not the biblical gospel.