Pope Francis makes exciting announcement during Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe

'I beseech her to guide the footsteps of the American people...'

During a December 12 Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis spoke of the Virgin Mary and made an announcement.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - During a special Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis announced his plan to visit Mexico City's Marian shrine.

The pontiff announced he planned to pray in hopes that Christian communities "may become oases and rivers of mercy."

Pope Francis added, "To ask her this, in a strong way, I will travel to venerate her at her shrine on February 13. There, I will ask this for all of America, of whom she is especially a mother."

In his homily, the pontiff said God's merciful love is His "most surprising attribute" and is manifested through Mary and directed toward the Church. He said God "loves us with a free love, without limits, expecting nothing in return."

God's mercy can not be countered by sin, Pope Francis continued, adding, "No matter how great or serious the sins of the world may be, the Spirit, who renews the face of the earth, makes possible the miracle of a more human life, full of joy and hope."

Returning to Mary, the pontiff said she became the "mother of mercy" after reciting "the very source of that mercy: Jesus Christ."

Pope Francis prayed Mary would "sow merciful love in the hearts of people and families" during the jubilee year.

"I beseech her to guide the footsteps of the American people, a pilgrim people who look for the mother of mercy, and I only ask her one thing: to show us her son Jesus," he added.

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