It is a familiar scene in Rome. Every Sunday at noon, the Pope appears at the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter\u2019s Square to greet the faithful gathered below and those watching around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cCari fratelli e sorelle, buona domenica!\u201d Pope Leo XIV calls out, beginning a tradition that has endured for generations.<\/p>\n
At the heart of this weekly encounter is the Angelus\u2014a prayer recited by Catholics worldwide, rooted in one of the most decisive moments in human history: the Annunciation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace\u2026\u201d the Pope prays, echoing words that have been repeated for centuries.<\/p>\n
Annunciation of Mary: From the Vatican to the Holy Land<\/p>\n
The \u201cYes\u201d That Changed History<\/p>\n
The Angelus centers on Mary\u2019s response to God\u2019s plan\u2014her \u201cyes\u201d to becoming the Mother of Christ. This moment, often described as the turning point of salvation history, continues to shape the Church\u2019s life today.<\/p>\n
During the Jubilee dedicated to Marian spirituality in October 2025, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the enduring significance of Mary\u2019s response.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrothers and sisters, Marian spirituality is at the service of the Gospel: it reveals its simplicity,\u201d he said. \u201cOur affection for Mary of Nazareth leads us to join her in becoming disciples of Jesus. Jesus invites us to be part of his Kingdom, just as he asked Mary for her \u2018yes,\u2019 which, once given, was renewed every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary\u2019s fiat was not a single act confined to the past\u2014it became a model of daily fidelity, a path of discipleship that continues to inspire believers.<\/p>\n
Nazareth: The Place Where the Word Became Flesh<\/p>\n
The place where Mary gave her \u201cyes\u201d can still be visited today. In Nazareth, once a small village, now stands the Basilica of the Annunciation\u2014built over the site traditionally believed to be Mary\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
Inside, pilgrims descend into the grotto where, according to tradition, the angel Gabriel appeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we’re here, actually inside the grotto of the Annunciation,\u201d explains Father Chris Alar of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. \u201cThis is the place we all know from the Bible. The angel Gabriel appeared\u2026 God did not interrupt humanity with cracks of thunder. He asked for consent. And the incarnation didn\u2019t begin with some miraculous miracle or miracle of power. It began with a young lady\u2019s Yes. It is the most important event in human history.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the altar in the grotto, a Latin inscription marks the mystery that took place there: Verbum caro hic factum est\u2014\u201cHere the Word became flesh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Understanding the Scene of the Annunciation<\/p>\n
For many pilgrims, the question naturally arises: is this truly the place described in the Gospel?<\/p>\n
Tour guide Tony Azraq affirms the historical context of the site. \u201cWhen you come here, many people want to know, is this the spot? Yes. Do I know this is the spot? Absolutely,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
He explains that homes in the first century were often built around caves, which served practical purposes but also provided private spaces. \u201cThese grottos were the isolation rooms for women,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n
This helps illuminate the Gospel account, in which Mary is described as \u201cmuch perplexed\u201d by the angel\u2019s greeting. Azraq adds, \u201cAll of a sudden, coming down that staircase, she hears somebody saying, Hail Mary. Would you panic? Yes, you will panic because you don\u2019t expect to see somebody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Father Alar points to the remains of what is believed to be the original staircase. \u201cThis would have been the original staircase of the first century. That\u2019s incredible,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
A Mystery That Endures<\/p>\n
Despite her initial fear, Mary responded with trust. After her \u201cyes,\u201d the Gospel tells us, the angel departed. Yet the significance of that moment has never faded.<\/p>\n
Pilgrims who visit Nazareth today often speak of a profound sense of closeness to this mystery.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get goosebumps, coming over here and feeling her presence,\u201d says guide George Stephan. \u201cBecause the whole Bible and salvation history stands on Genesis 3, \u2018Salvation comes from a woman\u2019\u2026 That woman is Mary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary\u2019s response continues to echo through Scripture, tradition, and devotion\u2014especially in the Angelus prayer, recited daily by millions of Catholics.<\/p>\n
A Prayer That Connects Past and Present<\/p>\n
From the quiet grotto in Nazareth to the window overlooking St. Peter\u2019s Square, the dialogue between Mary and the angel continues to live on in the Church\u2019s prayer.<\/p>\n
Each Sunday, Pope Leo XIV leads the faithful in repeating those same words:<\/p>\n
\u201cBehold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
A simple exchange, first spoken in silence over two thousand years ago\u2014yet one that continues to resound across the world, inviting each generation to respond, as Mary did, with faith.<\/p>\n
Adapted by Jacob Stein. Anthony Johnson contributed to this story. Video edited by Anthony Johnson. Special thanks & Credits to Nativity Pilgrimage and Khaled Jacoub.<\/p>\n