What Pope Francis says about Comfort the Affliced

Pope Francis gives us Mary as our example:
"Mary was able to turn a stable into a home for Jesus, with poor swaddling clothes and an abundance of love.  She is the handmaid of the Father who sings his praises.  She is the friend who is ever concerned that wine not be lacking in our lives.  She is the woman whose heart was pierced by a sword and who  understands all our pain.  As mother of all, she is a sign of hope for people suffering the birth pangs of justice.  She is the missionary who draws near to us and accompanies us throughout life, opening our hearts to faith by her maternal love.  as a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares our struggles and she constantly surrounds us with God's love.  Through her many titles, often linked to her shrines, Mary shares the history of each people that has received the Gospel, and becomes part of their historic identity...Here they find strength from God to bear the weariness and the suffering in their lives.  As she did with Juan Diego, Mary offers them maternal comfort and love, and whispers in their ear, "Let your heart not be troubled...Am I not here, who am your Mother?"

Excerpt from The Church of Mercy by Pope Francis, pg 141