Pope Francis is giving his blessing to a new Vatican think tank that is seeking to prevent the Mafia and organized crime groups from exploiting the image of the Virgin Mary for their own illicit ends.

‘Fatima,’ gives both the innocent faithful and the innocently faithless their due.

The figure of Mary is often distorted and exploited by criminal organizations as a way to make people more submissive and “turn them into slaves,” according to Father Stefano Cecchin.

Pope Francis wrote two new prayers to Mary that can be recited at the end of the rosary, prayers he said he would be reciting "in spiritual union with all of you."

Amid the global pandemic of Covid-19 that has spread throughout this Lenten season, calling on the Mother of Sorrows feels all the more urgent.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God.