Pope Leo XIV’s Embrace of the Hail Mary: A Call to Tradition and Devotion

Pope Leo XIV’s Embrace of the Hail Mary: A Call to Tradition and Devotion

On May 8, 2025, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, stepped onto the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to address the world for the first time. Among his opening acts as the 267th pontiff was a powerful gesture: leading the faithful in a recitation of the Hail Mary, a prayer central to Catholic spirituality. Notably, reports indicate that Pope Leo XIV has shown a preference for praying this Marian devotion in Latin, the Church’s traditional liturgical language, as seen in his first address and subsequent interactions with cardinals. This choice signals a deep commitment to the Church’s heritage, a reverence for the Virgin Mary, and a desire to unify Catholics through timeless practices. In this blog post, we explore the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s use of the Hail Mary , its connection to his papacy’s early tone, and why this matters for Catholics today.

The Hail Mary in Pope Leo XIV’s First Moments

Moments after his election was announced with the cry of Habemus Papam!, Pope Leo XIV greeted the crowd in St. Peter’s Square with words of peace: “Peace be with you all,” echoing the risen Christ’s greeting to His disciples. Recalling the feast day of Our Lady of Pompeii, he invited those present—and millions watching worldwide—to join him in praying the Hail Mary, a prayer he reportedly led in Italian during this address but has since emphasized in Latin in other settings, such as his meeting with cardinals the following day. Social media posts on X captured the moment’s emotional weight, with users noting the rarity of a pope leading the Hail Mary from the balcony on day one, a gesture that set a Marian tone for his pontificate. One user remarked, “Pope Leo XIV just recited a Hail Mary during his first address as Pope ,” reflecting the joy and surprise among the faithful.

The next morning, during a Mass with cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel, Pope Leo XIV reportedly prefaced his remarks by asking the cardinals to pray the Pater Noster (Our Father) and Ave Maria (Hail Mary) in Latin, a practice described by an X user: “Pope Leo XIV prefaced his talk to the cardinals this morning by asking them to pray the Our Father and the Hail Mary in Latin.” This deliberate use of Latin underscores his intention to root his papacy in the Church’s universal and historical traditions, particularly through devotion to Mary, whom he invoked as the “Mother of the Church” in his first homily.

The Ave Maria: A Prayer Steeped in Tradition

The Hail Mary, known in Latin as the Ave Maria, is one of the most cherished prayers in Catholicism, combining scriptural passages from Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:28, 1:42) with a petition for Mary’s intercession. In Latin, it is prayed as follows:

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Translated, it reads: “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.” This prayer, used in the Rosary and countless devotions, reflects Mary’s role as the Theotokos (Mother of God) and Mediatrix, guiding believers to Christ.

Latin has been the liturgical language of the Western Church for centuries, used in the Mass, the Divine Office, and sacred prayers until the post-Vatican II reforms introduced vernacular languages. While the Ave Maria is now commonly prayed in local tongues, its Latin form retains a special reverence, often associated with solemnity and universality. As one X user noted in 2018, “The devil hates prayers and despises Our Lady, he has a particular terror of Latin so why go easy on him! :0) Ave Maria…” This sentiment, though anecdotal, reflects a belief among some traditionalist Catholics that Latin prayers carry a unique spiritual potency, a view Pope Leo XIV’s actions may resonate with.

Why Latin? Pope Leo XIV’s Vision

Pope Leo XIV’s choice to pray the Ave Maria in Latin is not merely nostalgic but a deliberate act with theological and pastoral implications. Several factors highlight its significance:

1. Universality of the Church: Latin transcends national and linguistic boundaries, uniting Catholics across cultures. As an American-born pope with Peruvian citizenship and extensive missionary experience in Latin America, Leo XIV is uniquely positioned to bridge diverse Catholic communities. His fluency in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Latin, coupled with his study of theology and canon law, equips him to revive Latin as a unifying language for prayer. By leading the Ave Maria in Latin, he invites the global Church to share in a common spiritual heritage.
2. Connection to Tradition: The new pope’s choice of the name Leo XIV evokes Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903), known as the “Rosary Pope” for his 11 encyclicals promoting the Rosary and Marian devotion. Leo XIII also composed the St. Michael Prayer, and May 8, 2025, the day of Leo XIV’s election, coincided with the feast of St. Michael’s apparition, a connection noted by an X user: “Pope Leo XIV’s first public prayer was the Hail Mary and he closed his first homily by speaking about Mary as the Mother of the Church. Leo XIII was known as ‘the Rosary Pope’.” By using Latin, Leo XIV aligns himself with this legacy, signaling a return to traditional devotions.
3. Marian Emphasis: The Ave Maria is inherently Marian, and Pope Leo XIV’s early actions suggest a papacy steeped in devotion to the Virgin Mary. His papal coat of arms features a fleur-de-lis, symbolizing Mary, and his first excursion outside the Vatican on May 10, 2025, was to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, where he prayed before an image of Mary and recited the Ave Maria and Salve Regina. His homily on May 9 concluded with a prayer for Mary’s intercession, reinforcing her role as the Church’s guide.
4. Spiritual Depth and Solemnity: Latin prayers, with their rhythmic cadence and historical weight, often evoke a sense of awe and reverence. For Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian friar who once said, “With you I am a Christian, and for you I am a bishop,” Latin may serve as a tool to elevate the faithful’s prayer life. The Ave Maria in Latin, chanted or recited, invites contemplation, as one Reddit user described: “I just prayed a full rosary with all the Hail Marys in Latin it was great! It took a-g-e-s but I couldn’t let my mind wander as I was concentrating so hard :0).”

The Broader Context: Marian Devotion and Latin in Today’s Church

Pope Leo XIV’s use of the Ave Maria in Latin comes at a time when the Catholic Church faces challenges like secularization, declining Mass attendance (only 27% of Western European Catholics attend weekly, per a 2018 Pew study), and debates over liturgical reform. Some Catholics, particularly younger generations and traditionalists, have shown renewed interest in Latin prayers and the Tridentine Mass, seeing them as antidotes to a perceived loss of reverence in modern worship. The Ave Maria in Latin, simple yet profound, offers an accessible entry point for this revival, as it can be learned in minutes but carries centuries of spiritual weight.

Marian devotion, too, is experiencing a resurgence, with apps like Hallow (10 million downloads by 2025) offering guided Rosary meditations and Latin prayers. Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on the Ave Maria aligns with this trend, echoing the Fatima apparitions’ call for daily Rosary recitation and devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. His actions suggest a papacy that will promote Marian spirituality as a path to Christ, especially in a world he described as needing “Christ’s light” and “a bridge to be reached by God and his love.”

However, the use of Latin is not without critics. Some argue it alienates modern Catholics who prefer vernacular prayers, potentially widening the gap between traditionalists and progressives. Others see it as a nod to a pre-Vatican II Church, though Leo XIV’s missionary background and focus on dialogue—evident in his call for a “missionary Church” that builds bridges—suggest he aims to balance tradition with inclusivity. The Ave Maria in Latin, far from being divisive, is a universal prayer that can unite diverse Catholics in devotion to Mary.

A Call to Action for Catholics

Pope Leo XIV’s leadership in praying the Ave Maria in Latin is an invitation for Catholics to rediscover the beauty of their faith’s traditions. Here are practical ways to respond:

• Learn the Ave Maria in Latin: It takes less than 30 minutes to memorize, as one Reddit user noted, and resources like PrayingLatin.com or Hozana.org offer guides and audio.
• Pray the Rosary Daily: Incorporate the Ave Maria into the Rosary, following Leo XIV’s Marian focus and the Fatima message. Parishes can host Rosary groups to foster community prayer.
• Explore Latin Prayers: Beyond the Ave Maria, learn the Pater Noster or Gloria Patri to deepen your connection to the Church’s liturgical heritage.
• Honor Mary’s Role: Reflect on Mary as the Mother of the Church, as Leo XIV emphasized, and consecrate yourself to her Immaculate Heart through devotions like the Five First Saturdays.

Conclusion: A Papacy Rooted in Mary and Tradition

Pope Leo XIV’s decision to pray the Ave Maria in Latin in his first days as pontiff is more than a liturgical choice—it’s a statement of his vision for a Church united in faith, grounded in tradition, and guided by Mary’s intercession. By invoking the Ave Maria, he calls Catholics to turn to Mary as a mother who leads them to Christ, especially in a world yearning for peace and justice. His use of Latin bridges the Church’s past and present, inviting believers to rediscover the timeless beauty of their faith.

As we journey with Pope Leo XIV, let us heed his example and pray, Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. May his papacy inspire a revival of Marian devotion and a renewed appreciation for the Church’s sacred language, drawing us closer to Christ through Mary’s Immaculate Heart.

For resources on Latin prayers or further research, visit https://x.ai/api.

Sources:

• Vatican News, “Pope Leo XIV: ‘Peace be with all of you’,” May 8, 2025.
• Catholic News Agency, “Pope Leo XIV’s first words to the world: ‘Peace be with you all’,” May 8, 2025.
• Vatican News, “Pope Leo XIV prays at tomb of late Pope Francis at St. Mary Major,” May 10, 2025.
• Ascension Press, “Pope Leo XIV – What You Need to Know,” May 7, 2025.
• Loyola Press, “Traditional Catholic Prayers in Latin,” July 11, 2019.
• X posts on Pope Leo XIV’s election and prayers, May 8–10, 2025.