Millions were enthralled by the ritual and ceremony on display as a new pope was recently chosen.  Cardinal Dominique Mamberti used the Latin phrase “Habemus Papam” to declare to the world that we have a pope as tens of thousands cheered and wept for joy.

Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) uttered his first words as pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Peace be with you all.”  He spoke of God “who loves you all” and who will prevail over evil.  He spoke of Christ who “precedes us” and he drew attention to the obligations of those who would be His disciples.

The pope finally led the church in prayer.  He did not address “Our Father which art in Heaven” nor did he call out to “Jesus, our Savior”.  Instead, he petitioned “Our Lady of Pompeii” and assured those listening that “our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close, to help us with her intercession and her love.” 

Our Lady of Pompeii was a title given to the Virgin Mary after she allegedly spoke to a resident of Pompeii named Bartolo Longo.  He was a former priest of Satan who was converted after hearing the words: “One who propagates my Rosary shall be saved.”  Bartolo dedicated the rest of his life to teaching others about the mysteries of The Rosary.  He became good friends with Pope Leo XIII and composed a prayer in which he referred to Mary as “…Queen of the Rosary of Pompeii, O dearest Mother, O Refuge of Sinners, O Sovereign Consoler of the Afflicted.”

Although Pope Leo XIV’s introductory speech was much about God and his son Jesus Christ, his first prayer was directed to Mary, who is much honored and blessed as the mother of Jesus; nonetheless, she is a human, not a divine being.

“Today, the day of supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii, our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close, to help us with her intercession and her love.  Now I would like to pray with you for this new mission, for the whole Church, for peace in the world. Let us ask for this special grace of Mary, our Mother.”

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.”

Certainly, this pope prays to the Father and to the Son, Jesus Christ.  But his emphasis on praying to Mary is certainly perplexing to many non-Catholics who were observing the induction ceremonies.  Is it okay for Christians to pray to Mary?  Where in scripture are we directed to pray to Jesus’ mother?

Most Catholics would deny they are worshipping Mary when they pray to her.  They consider their prayer to be a plea for intercession.  They want Mary to take their request to her Son on their behalf.  Why is it necessary to ask Mary to mediate on their behalf when they are granted the privilege of directly communicating with and through the Son? 

Many look to Mary as their advocate.  Scripture indicates that Jesus Christ, not Mary, is our advocate.  “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”  (1 John 2:1)

Praying to Mary seems confusing.  It’s like three family members in the same room.  One child asks another child to relay a message to their father who is standing next to them both.  

It is quite understandable that Catholics would venerate (have great respect for) Mary.  Peter Kreeft, a Catholic philosopher, says:  “We love Mary for one reason: because we love Jesus.”  

Many non-Catholic Christians would disagree with the belief in the necessary sinlessness of Mary, an Immaculate Conception, to assure the sinlessness of Christ. Did Mary not indicate her need for a Savior in Luke 1:46-47?  “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”  Was Jesus not Mary’s Son and Savior?

The author of Hebrews teaches us that we may all “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.” (Hebrews 4:16)  It is proper to ask other living humans to pray with us and for us but it is forbidden for Christians to attempt to communicate with a deceased human.  Was not Saul condemned for consulting with the Witch of Endor when he asked her to  assist him in contacting the spirit of Samuel?  “Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists, or you will be defiled by them; I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)

Would we not expect Mary to respond as the Apostle Peter did when he was approached by Cornelius who attempted to bow down to him and worship him?  “When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up and said, ‘Stand up. I myself am also a man.’”  (Acts 10:25-26)

Mary should certainly be revered, respected, and honored as the mother of Jesus.  But she was fully human and no part of her was divine.  There was no indication in her actions as the mother of Jesus that she wanted to share in his glory, rather, she wanted all glory to belong to Jesus alone.

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