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15 August 2020The Feast of Ferragosto coincides with the celebration of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. For the occasion, Pope Francis spoke at the Angelus referring to a very famous metaphor for humanity.

“When man set foot on the moon, a phrase was said that became famous: 'this is a small step for a man, a great leap for mankind.' Indeed, mankind had reached a historic milestone. But today - Francis said - in the assumption of Mary into heaven, we celebrate an infinitely greater conquest. The Madonna has placed her feet in heaven: she went there not only in spirit, but also with her body, with all of herself. step of the little virgin of Nazareth was the great leap forward of humanity ".

"There is little use in going to the moon if we do not live as brothers on earth - continued the Pope. But that one of us lives in heaven with the body gives us hope: we understand that we are precious, destined to rise again".

Francis cites the words of the Virgin reported in today's Gospel of Luke which become "Mary's advice for us", explains Francis on the day of the feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, which often "let ourselves be overcome by difficulties" because we do not put God, unlike the Madonna, "as the first greatness of life". Recognizing herself as small, Mary recognizes the great things that God has done for her and "praises God for this".

God loves the little ones, explains the pontiff. "If we forget the good, the heart shrinks. But if, like Mary, we remember the great things that the Lord does, if at least once a day we magnify it, then we take a big step forward".

Bergoglio dedicates a thought to those who cannot afford to go on vacation. "I wish a good feast of the Assumption to you present here, to those who are on vacation, as well as to those who do not have this possibility, especially the sick, the lonely people and to those who ensure essential services for the community ".

Finally, Francis dedicated a particular prayer to the "population of the northern region of Nigeria, victims of violence and terrorist attacks". "I am following with particular attention the situation of the difficult negotiations on the Nile issue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. I invite all parties to continue on the path of dialogue so that the eternal river continues to be a lifeblood that unites, and does not divide, which always nurtures friendship, prosperity, brotherhood, and never enmity, misunderstanding or conflict. " The Pontiff exhorted us to weave a fruitful dialogue, "your only choice for the good of your dear peoples and of the whole world".

The extension of the Lauretan Jubilee
Last night at the end of the Vigil of the Assumption, the pontifical delegate archbishop of Loreto Fabio Dal Cin announced that Pope Francis has granted the extension of the Lauretan Jubilee, linked to the hundred years of the proclamation of the Madonna of Loreto Patroness of all the aeronauts, until 10 December 2021.  

The prelate expresses "the heartfelt gratitude, my personal, of all the military and civil Air Force, of all the faithful, Loreto, pilgrims and devotees of the Holy House for this great gift. At this time difficult for humanity, Holy Mother Church gives us another 12 months to start afresh from Christ, allowing us to be accompanied by Mary ". The Jubilee officially began with the opening of the Holy Door on 8 December 2019, in the presence of Card. Pietro Parolin.

Dal Cin recalls that in this year the pontiff "has repeatedly expressed his closeness to the Holy House", citing among others "the inclusion in the Litany of Lauretane of three new invocations Mater Misericordiae, Mater Spei and Solacium migrantium.