In 1990, while still serving as the Superior of the Jesuits in Argentina, Pope Francis made a curious promise to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which remains in effect today.
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has demonstrated a special devotion to certain saints and Marian advocations.
One notable example is his choice of the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Additionally, he holds a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary under the title of Undoer of Knots, with her image present on his desk. In 2021, he specifically prayed to her for an end to the pandemic. The Holy Father also maintains a strong connection with Our Lady of Fatima, having made a pilgrimage to her shrine in 2017 and planning a return visit in a few weeks as part of the World Youth Day in Lisbon. In May 2021, he consecrated the entire world to her protection.
However, there is one Marian devotion to which Pope Francis made a curious promise in 1990, on the eve of its solemnity.
This devotion is to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose influence extends across Europe and America. In numerous countries, she is regarded as the patroness of the sea, sailors, Armed Forces, Police, and the Army. In Argentina, General San Martín appointed her as the Patroness and General of the Army of the Andes, which played a pivotal role in liberating Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
In a 2015 interview with the Argentine newspaper La Voz del Pueblo, Pope Francis affirmed that he continues to uphold the promise he made to the Virgin of Mount Carmel on the night of July 15, 1990: not to watch television.
“I have not watched television since 1990. It is a promise I made to the Virgin of Mount Carmel on the night of July 15, 1990,” he recalled. When asked about the reasons behind this decision, he clarified that there is no particular motive. “I told myself, ‘this is not for me,'” he admitted. He further explained that he doesn’t even watch matches of San Lorenzo, the football club he supports.
The Pontiff explained that he remains informed about his team’s current events because “there is a Swiss guard who provides me with the results and standings every week.”
During an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País, he also mentioned his promise. “I don’t watch television simply because at one point, I felt that God asked me to do so. On July 16, 1990, I made that promise, and I haven’t broken it.” However, he clarified, “Not watching television does not hinder my ability to communicate. It was a personal choice, nothing more. Communication is divine. God communicates.”
“Throughout history, God has communicated with us. He has not remained isolated. He is a communicating God who has spoken to us, accompanied us, challenged us, guided us to change our course, and continues to walk with us,” he emphasized.
“I’m somewhat concerned when the media fails to express themselves with the ethical standards that are inherent to their profession. For example, there are modes of communication that do not contribute to unity; in fact, they hinder it,” he reflected.
He provided a simple example to illustrate his point. “Imagine a family sitting down for dinner, but instead of engaging in conversation, they either watch television or the children are engrossed in their phones, sending messages to people outside. When communication loses its tangible, human element and becomes superficial, it becomes dangerous,” he cautioned.
In 2020, on the occasion of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Holy Father encouraged the faithful to pray to this devotion, asking for assistance in refraining from lying or criticizing others.
Through his Twitter account, he invited everyone to join in prayer: “Our Mother, help us to have innocent hands and a pure heart, to abstain from lying or speaking ill of others. In this way, we can ascend the mountain of the Lord and obtain His blessings, His justice, and His salvation.”
