"What is impossible to men is not impossible to God"

After his trip to Colombia in early September 2017, Pope Francis prayed in front of the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Salus Populi Romani in Rome, for the 52nd time since the beginning of his pontificate. The Holy Father repeats this gesture on every important occasion. He is so devoted to her that on September 7, 2013, on the eve of the celebration of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, he spontaneously removed the icon of Our Lady from its spot and circulated it among the crowd during a vigil of fast and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world.

Pope Francis has decided to pay these regular visits to the Mother of God to express his thanks, before and after each trip, because he sees in her the faith of the people of God who for centuries, in times of crisis, have gathered around Mary to ask Heaven for graces, because "what is impossible for men is not impossible for God," according to Father Innocenzo Gargano in an article by Sandro Magister for the Espresso.

For the Holy Father, this icon pours back "the graces which she herself received," into hearts and "in proportion of the faith" of those who turn to her in simplicity, making themselves totally available to God.

Aleteia