SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Piazza della Libertà (Castel Gandolfo)Sunday, 15 August 2026

___________________________________

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of theAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a feast of great importance for both Catholic theology and popular piety. Indeed, it is a deeply cherished celebration in many communities, especially where the cathedral or parish church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption.

To contemplate this mystery of the faith, we can turn to the two iconographic models that artists have used over the centuries to depict this event.

The first, which is also the oldest — having been the only one for nearly a millennium — depicts the Dormition of the Mother of God. She is shown lying on a catafalque, asleep in death; around her are the Apostles, who are moved to venerate her in prayer; and in the center is the risen Jesus, holding Mary’s soul in his arms like a newborn child. Jesus came to take her to be with him in the glory of God, which we call heaven. In this way, the Lord fulfilled for his Mother what he had promised to all his friends: “when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (Jn14:3).

This first model highlights the central truth. Having died and risen, it is Christ who leads us to the destination for which we have been created, namely eternal life. This is what generations of the faithful have contemplated while praying before the icons of the Dormition, and what can be admired in Rome, in the great mosaic of the apse of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The more recent iconography, which developed later in the West, depicts the Virgin Mary in full stature, in heaven, enveloped in light, often surrounded by angels and saints. In the center of the image is the glorified body of the Virgin Mary, in accordance with what is written in the Book of Revelation: “A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev12:1).

Some artists have combined the two ideas, depicting the glorious Virgin at the top of the image and her empty tomb, often filled with multicolored flowers, at the bottom, with the Apostles gazing up at her in heaven.

This second model highlights the truth that Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul, that is in the entirety of her person. The woman who, on earth, gave flesh and blood to the Incarnate Word and followed him to the point of perfect union in the sacrifice of love was then drawn by him forever into glory.

In such a way, this iconography allows us to contemplate our ultimate destiny. The fullness of life, which we joyfully admire today in Mary, awaits us as well at the end of time, when, as Saint Paul says, the Risen Christ “will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil3:21), clothing what is perishable with incorruptibility and what is mortal with immortality (cf.1 Cor15:54). Then, with our flesh transformed by the love of the Redeemer, we will live forever in an endless celebration.

Let us praise the Lord, who has done great things in his and our Most Holy Mother!

__________________________________After the Angelus

The Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into the glory of heaven, is a sign of hope and consolation for the entire People of God.  For this reason, I wish to invoke her maternal intercession today on behalf of those communities that are in particular need of consolation and of renewed hope.  My thoughts go out to our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, which is also,par excellence, the Land of Mary.  My thoughts also go out to the Ukrainian and Russian peoples, both of whom are united by their filial devotion to the Holy Mother of God, and to Christians who suffer discrimination or even persecution.

I continue to pray for the people of Colombia who are suffering due to the earthquake.  I stand in solidarity with these communities and with all those living in difficult circumstances, and together with them I pray: “Holy Mary, pray for us!”

I extend my greetings to all of you, the faithful of Castel Gandolfo and pilgrims who have come from Italy and other countries. Thank you for your presence and thank you for your prayers!

I hope that everyone will be able to enjoy a time of rest, to recharge both body and spirit — perhaps with some good reading and time spent in nature.

Have a wonderful celebration today, and see you tomorrow!

Copyright © Dicastery for Communication - Libreria Editrice Vaticana