Following his election to the papacy, Leo XIV visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano on May 10 to pray, marking it as his first official visit as pope. He expressed deep trust in Our Lady, calling her a companion of “light and wisdom,” and quoted her words to the servants at the wedding feast at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” [John 2:5].
As the mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary is intimately connected with him, and the Church equates her guidance with God’s supreme wisdom. In times of political instability, economic downturns, and ongoing conflicts, her counsel is especially needed.
Many have turned to the Blessed Virgin for intercession during crises. For example, in the 16th century, when the Ottoman Empire aimed to invade Europe, the Christian fleet achieved a significant victory over the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571, through Mary’s intercession. In honour of this and to commemorate the occasion, Pope Pius V entrusted the Church to Our Lady, establishing October 7 as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and encouraging devotion among the faithful.
In 1808, Napoleon abducted Pope Pius VII from Rome. Pius was held captive but eventually returned on 24 May 1814, after Napoleon’s defeat. In gratitude for the Blessed Virgin’s intercession, Pius designated this date as the Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians.
Moreover, May 24 is also the “World Day of Prayer for the Church in China,” a designation made by Pope Benedict XVI in his letter to the Chinese Catholic community in 2007. He encouraged prayers for the Church in China worldwide on this day.
Pope Benedict highlighted the significance of May 24 as the memorial of Mary, Help of Christians, especially at the Sheshan Shrine in Shanghai. Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., the bishop of Hong Kong, noted in an interview that Pope Leo XIV had visited China multiple times before and understands its cultural context. He expressed support for Pope Francis’s approach to the Church in China, which focuses on dialogue and mutual understanding.
Cardinal Stephen presented Pope Leo XIV with a statue of Our Lady of Sheshan, reminiscent of the gesture made by John Cardinal Tong Hon, who had given Pope Benedict XVI a statue of the same figure.
Cardinal Stephen encouraged the new pope to keep the Church and the people of China in his thoughts. The new pope nodded in agreement and highlighted the Diocese of Hong Kong’s commitment to “build bridges and pave roads” between the universal Church and Beijing, in accordance with the needs of the pope.
Furthermore, recognising the rising Mandarin-speaking community in Hong Kong—comprising immigrants, students, and professionals from mainland China—the diocese has prioritised Mandarin-language pastoral care. Father Bruno Lepeu has been appointed to this task, visiting areas with significant mainland Chinese populations and collaborating with parishes and diocesan organizations. He will soon propose strategies for effective pastoral outreach.
During this month of May, let us seek the protection of Mary, the Mother of the Church, especially to bring relief to those who are suffering. SE
