POPE FRANCIS' FIRST ACT AS POPE

The Vatican released the following statement:  "Francis began his first day as pope making an early morning visit in a simple Vatican car to a Roman basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary and prayed before an icon of the Madonna."  In doing so, Pope Francis did something which will certainly hinder the Roman Catholic Church's efforts to reconcile with Protestantism.  Protestants believe that to have icons and to pray to Mary or the saints of the Roman Catholic Church is strictly forbidden by the Word of God, and that it is idolatry (Ex. 20:4;     1 Tim. 2:5).

Let's look at what the Bible has to say about Mary, the mother of Jesus.  In her own words, Mary admitted she was a sinner, for only sinners need the Savior!  She said, "And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior" (Lk. 1:47).  In fact, apart from her role in the birth and childhood of Jesus (Mt.   1-2; Lk. 1-2, there is very little reference to Mary in the Scriptures.  Matthew refers to her twice (12:46-50; 13:55); Mark once (3:31-35); Luke once (8:19-21); John twice (2:1-12; 19:25-27); and she is mentioned once in Acts (1:14).  Mary is not mentioned in the writings of Paul, James, or Peter.

The Roman Catholic Church calls Mary, "the Queen of Heaven."  The papal encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam, issued by Pope Pius XII, states that Mary is to be called "the Queen of Heaven."  God's Word, through the prophet Jeremiah has this to say about "the Queen of Heaven":  "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger" (7:18). 

God's hatred for man's worship of "the Queen of Heaven" is also clearly seen in Jeremiah 44:16-29!  He wrote in verses 25-26, "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.   Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by My great name, saith the LORD, that My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth."

 

"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve" (Mt. 4:10)!