Pope Francis shows his closeness to all mothers

At the Wednesday general audience, Pope Francis showed his closeness to all mothers on the birthday of the Virgin Mary on September 8. 

The pope said, "I wish to express my closeness to all mothers, especially to those mothers with suffering children, who are ill, marginalized, or in prison."

Pope Francis said Mary’s motherhood is connected to that of all mothers ahead of the liturgical feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday.

The pope reflected on the Virgin Mary’s tenderness, saying, "Mary experienced the tenderness of God as a daughter, full of grace, to share this tenderness as a mother through her union with the mission of her Son."

"May Our Lady console all mothers and all mothers who are afflicted by the suffering of their children," Pope Francis said.

He prayed for the mothers of young prisoners "so that their hope may not die."

The Pope stated that suicide rates are much higher in prisons than among the general population.

"Unfortunately, there are many people in prison who commit suicide, sometimes even young prisoners," the pope said.

Pope Francis suggested that a mother’s love can help preserve someone from the danger of suicide.

According to an international charitable network, Samaritans, "mental ill-health, past self-harm, traumatic life experiences, and a background of disadvantage" are the key factors for prison suicide. - With input from Vatican News