Pope Francis recalled the 40th anniversary on May 13 of the assassination attempt on Pope Saint John Paul II. “He was certain that he owed his life to Our Lady of Fatima,” Francis said, noting that “this makes us aware that our lives and the history of the world are in God’s hands.”
The Argentine pope mentioned the anniversary at the end of the May 12 general audience, in his special greetings to Polish-speaking pilgrims.
Pope John Paul II was shot as he passed through St Peter’s Square during the general audience on Wednesday, May 13, 1981, on the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
“Let’s entrust the Church, ourselves and the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let’s pray for peace, for the end of the pandemic, for a spirit of penitence and for our conversion,” Pope Francis said.
And recalling tomorrow’s feast day dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, he said: “Let us place ourselves with trust under Her maternal protection, especially when we find ourselves in difficulty during our prayer life.” The topic of the audience today was the difficulties encountered in prayer.
The pope also urged praying the Rosary, especially in this month dedicated to Mary.
A Rosary Marathon is underway, which Pope Francis began on May 1 and will conclude May 31. A different shrine each day is leading the Rosary for the general intention of the end of the pandemic, as well as a specific related intention.
