God is "the Blessed one by nature" and she is "the Blessed one by grace," he said. "The gift of God was presented to us as a blessing, in the Blessed by nature and in the Blessed by grace."
"This is the gift that God presents to us and that he has continually wanted to emphasize, to reawaken throughout Revelation," the pope continued. "'Blessed are you among women,' because you brought us the Blessed One."
The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego on the Hill of Tepeyac in Mexico City in 1531, during a time of conflict between the Spanish and the indigenous peoples.
Mary took the appearance of a pregnant native woman, wore clothing in the style of the indigenous community, and spoke to Juan Diego in a native language, Nahuatl.
"Looking at the image of our Mother, awaiting the Blessed One, full of grace awaiting the Blessed One, we understand a little about abundance, about speaking goodness, about blessing," Pope Francis said. "We understand this about the gift."
Our Lady asked Juan Diego to appeal to the bishop to build a church on the site of the apparition, stating she wanted a place where she could reveal to the people the compassion of her son. Initially turned away by the bishop, Diego returned to the site asking Our Lady for a sign to prove the authenticity of her message.