In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the reading from St. Luke's Gospel, in which the angel appears to Mary, informing her that she is with child.

When Mary offered her flawless “yes,” humanity itself, in one instance, gave itself, utterly and completely, to God.

In my lifetime, I do not recall having so many reasons to cry and send up my sighs to Mary for help and hope.

Local officials project the statue in Zacatecas will cost $4.25 million

To celebrate Canada's 150th birthday and to mark the 70th anniversary of its consecration to Mary, Canada's three cardinals led the nation's bishops in a ceremony Sept. 26 to re-consecrate the nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.