Mary's example of believing and following Jesus is what matters most; she cannot be some image "of our own making" who Christians barter with for mercy, Pope Francis said.
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparitions at Fatima, the Pope asked tens of thousands of pilgrims May 12 to reflect on "which Mary" they choose to venerate, "the virgin Mary from the Gospel" or "one who restrains the arm of a vengeful God?"
Is the Mary they honour "a woman blessed because she believed always and everywhere in God's words or a 'plaster statue' from whom we beg favours at little cost?" he asked.
