The 26th International Marian Mariological Congress was held from the 3rd to 6th September 2025 at the Antonianum Auditorium in Rome on the theme "Jubilee and Synodality: a Church with a Marian face and praxis". This meeting, promoted by the Pontifical Academia Mariana Internationalis (PAMI), brought together scholars, religious, lay people and representatives of Mariological societies from all over the world, called to reflect together on the synodal and prophetic vocation of the Church, inspired by the model of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The congress opened with the prayers and greetings of the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, and the President of PAMI, Br. Stefano Cecchin. Amongst the topics discussed: "Mary model of the synodal Church" (Card. Mario Grech), "The Marian face of the Church" (Msgr. Antonio Staglianò) and "The Marian mysticism of Pope Francis and popular pastoral care" (Prof. Lúcia Pedrosa de Pádua).
Dialogue tables have been set up in several languages, promoting a true fraternity between cultures and traditions, following the style of Franciscan dialogue. Moments of pilgrimage, prayer, meetings in the Basilica of St. Mary Major and in the Vatican infused the grace of shared spiritual experience.
The culminating moment of the Congress was the audience with Pope Leo XIV, who addressed words of light and consolation to those present: "The Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, teaches us to be the holy people of God... In this Congress you have asked yourselves whether a Church with a Marian face is a remnant of the past or a prophecy of the future, capable of shaking minds and hearts from the habit and regret of a "Christian society" that no longer exists. A Church with a Marian heart preserves and understands ever better the hierarchy of the truths of faith, integrating reason and affection, body and soul, universal and local, person and community, humanity and cosmos."
The Holy Father urged to renew Marian piety and practice "oriented to the service of hope and consolation", inviting everyone to start again by listening to the Word and to walk together, as brothers and sisters.
At the end of the Congress, the International Prize "Mary, the way of peace between cultures" was awarded, enhancing the contribution of the arts and music in the dialogue between peoples.
With a grateful heart, the Franciscan Family gives thanks for this cenacle of thought and prayer, an example of synodality and communion in the spirit of the Mother of the Lord, "who never ceases to open doors, build bridges, tear down walls and help humanity to live in peace in the harmony of diversity".
Watch the photos on flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCteAr
