A new Vatican decree approved by Pope Leo has modified several traditional titles used by Catholics to describe Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Among the most popular titles now affected are “Co-Redemptrix” and “Mediatrix.”
For centuries, Catholics have invoked Mary’s intercession through prayers such as the Rosary, venerating her as a divine figure whose role in giving birth to Christ elevates her within the spiritual hierarchy.
However, the Vatican clarified in a recent decree that Mary’s role in salvation is subordinate to that of Jesus Christ.
“Given the necessity of explaining Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-redemptrix’ to define Mary’s cooperation,” the text stated.
“This title risks obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation and can therefore create confusion and an imbalance in the harmony of the truths of the Christian faith… it does not serve the faith of the People of God and becomes unhelpful.”
The Vatican further emphasised that neither the Church nor Mary can replace, or perfect the redemptive work of Jesus.
On the use of “Mediatrix”, the decree reaffirmed the biblical teaching on Christ’s exclusive role as mediator between God and humanity. While acknowledging Mary’s “real mediatory role” as the mother of Christ, it stressed that she fulfilled this function “in a clearly subordinate manner.”
The Vatican noted that these doctrinal positions are not new, recalling that the late Pope Francis had repeatedly expressed opposition to using the titles “Co-Redemptrix” and “Mediatrix” for Mary.
“Christ is the Mediator, the bridge that we cross to turn to the Father. He is the only Redeemer: there are no co-redeemers with Christ. He is the Mediator par excellence,” Pope Francis said in 2021.
He added, “Each prayer we raise to God is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, and is fulfilled thanks to his intercession.”
Francis once described the proposal to grant Mary the title “Co-Redemptrix” as “foolishness.”
