Mary herself expresses this joy when she speaks the "stupendous prayer" of the Magnificat, which is "a song of joy to God who works great things through humble people, unknown to the world, like Mary herself, like her spouse Joseph, and also like the village in which they lived, Nazareth."
In off-the-cuff remarks, the Pope pointed to "the great things the Lord does in the world with the humble, because humility is like a void that leaves room for God."
The humble person "is strong because they are humble, not because they are powerful," he said, and urged those present to ask themselves "how is my humility?" and to reflect on the answer.
Going on, Francis said the Magnificat prayer is an expression of God's mercy and fidelity, as well as his plan for salvation, which he carries out with "the little ones and the poor, with those who have faith in him" and trust in his Word, as Mary did.
Jesus' arrival to Elizabeth and Zechariah through Mary brings not only a climate of joy and communion, but also "a climate of faith which leads to hope, prayer and praise," the Pope said, noting that the same thing can happen for each person today.
Francis closed his address asking Mary to bring to each person and their families and communities "that immense gift, that unique grace which we must always ask for before and above all other graces that are also in our heart: the grace that is Jesus Christ!"
After leading pilgrims in the Angelus, the Pope offered a special prayer for all those who are suffering due to various global situations.
He entrusted to Mary and her intercession "the anxieties and pains of the peoples who in many parts of the world suffer due to natural disasters, social tensions or conflicts," asking that she obtain for them "consolation and a future of peace and harmony!"
In addition to the various conflicts raging throughout the world, the Pope's words come after one woman lost her life and several others were injured when a car rammed into a group of protesters at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va. earlier this week, adding fuel to what were already-escalated racial tensions in the United States.
The Pope's appeal also comes as many South Asian and African countries such as India, Bangladesh and Sierra Leone face heavy flooding and mudslides, which so far have led to hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths.
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.