The attack on John Paul II ‘was not fatal thanks to the protection of the Virgin,’ says Pope Leo XIV
On 13 May 1981, feast day of Our Lady of Fatima 45 years ago, John Paul II was hit by two bullets. Today, Leo XIV remembered his predecessor before the general audience in St Peter's Square by kneeling at the spot where he was wounded. He dedicated today’s catechesis to Mary, "the perfect model" for the Church, entrusting to her "the cry for peace" of "peoples afflicted by war.”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Exactly 45 years have passed since 13 May 1981, the day of the assassination attempt against Saint John Paul II in St Peter's Square.
This morning, during his tour in the Popemobile to greet the faithful gathered for the general audience, Leo XIV knelt on the very spot where the Polish pontiff was hit by two bullets, where a tile now bears the coat of arms of his predecessor, a few steps from the Bronze Door.
This day, 13 May, also marks the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima, to whom John Paul II was deeply devoted: one of the bullets that struck him is now embedded in the crown of the statue of Our Lady in Portugal. For this reason, Leo XIV devoted today's catechesis to the Virgin Mary.
The assassination attempt on John Paul II by Turkish assassin Mehmet Ali Ağca “was not fatal thanks to the protection of the Virgin, as he himself confirmed in many ways," said Leo XIV, who dedicated today’s catechesis to his "holy predecessor”, as part of his ongoing series of reflections on the documents of the Second Vatican Council.
Leo developed today's theme "Virgin Mary, model of the Church", starting from the last chapter of the dogmatic constitution Lumen gentium (1964), dedicated to Mary, who is described “as a pre-eminent and singular member of the Church, and as its type and excellent example in faith and charity” (n. 53).
“These words invite us to understand how in Mary, who under the action of the Holy Spirit welcomed and brought forth the Son of God made flesh, we can recognize both the model and the pre-eminent member and mother of the entire ecclesial community,” Leo said.
Mary is the "perfect model" of what the Church should be, but she is also the "believer par excellence," as well as the “mother of the whole Church, which can turn to her with filial confidence, in the certainty of being heard, protected and loved.”
The Church and humanity can thus address to Her “the cry for peace and harmony that rises from every part of the world, especially from peoples afflicted by war,” Leo said greeting Portuguese-speaking faithful, urging them to turn their gaze to the Shrine of Fatima (Portugal), “where Our Lady delivered a message of peace to the three shepherd children. In that place, so dear to Christianity, numerous pilgrims from five continents gather today: their presence is a sign of the need for consolation, unity, and hope of the people of our time.”
Mary, the pope added, is also "an icon of the Mystery”. Indeed, “The word woman highlights the historical reality of this young daughter of Israel, to whom it was granted to live the extraordinary experience of becoming the mother of the Messiah.”
Icon here means “that, in Her, the twofold movement of descent and ascent is fulfilled: in Her, both God’s gratuitous election and Her free consent of faith in Him shine forth.”
“In the Mother of the Lord, the Church contemplates her own mystery, not only because she finds in Her the model of virginal faith, maternal charity and the spousal covenant to which she is called, but also and above all because in Her she recognizes her own archetype, the ideal figure of what she is called to be.”
Lastly, Leo urged the faithful to let themselves to be "questioned" by the model the Virgin Mary represents, asking for her "intercession”.
To this end, we must ask: “do I live my participation of the Church with humble and active faith? Do I recognize in her the community of the covenant that God has given me to respond to His infinite love? Do I feel that I am a living part of the Church, in obedience to the pastors given by God? Do I look to Mary as a model, an outstanding member and Mother of the Church, and ask Her to help me be a faithful disciple of her Son?”
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