The Vatican has issued a statement regarding the status of the Virgin Mary as a “co-redeemer” with Christ, which many have come to believe that salvation comes through both Jesus and Mary. Catholics revere Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the point of being accused of idolatry by Protestants. The Vatican’s statement, however, condemned the use of “co-redeemer” or “co-redemptrix” when referring to the Virgin. According to the Vatican, the statement was released due to “numerous requests and proposals” received by the Holy See “regarding questions pertaining to Marian devotion and certain Marian titles.”

The term in question, “co-redeemer” or “co-redemptrix” can trace its history to the 15^th century as a replacement for “Redemptrix”, which was meant as an abbreviation of “Mother of Redeemer.” The meaning of “co-redemptrix,” however, has never been clearly defined, leading to confusion. The Vatican noted the term had been used by Pope John Paul II at least on seven occasions, however he stopped using the term in the 90s after pushback. Pope Benedict XVI, while he was still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, stated the term was too unclear, and then in 2002 as Pope, he rejected the use of the title, saying, “the formula ‘Co-redemptrix’ departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings.” Pope Francis after him strongly rejected the title, asserting that Mary, “never wished to appropriate anything of her Son for herself. She never presented herself as a co-Savior.”

“Given the necessity of explaining Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-redemptrix’ to define Mary’s cooperation,” the Vatican concluding, saying the title “risks obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation and can therefore create confusion and an imbalance in the harmony of the truths of the Christian faith.” The statement cited Acts 4:12, which states, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The statement is signed with the authority of Pope Leo XIV, creating a final say on Mary’s role, or lack, in redemption. Speaking to La Repubblica, Vatican correspondent Iacopo Scaramuzzi called the statement a necessary move in fighting the “cult of the Madonna.” “The Vatican is cracking down on a devotion which is spreading on social media, and which is a specific devotion embraced especially by conservative Catholics,” he said. The statement obtained a mixed reception, with Protestants praising it as a closer move to biblical clarity while some Catholics pushed back on it as taking honor away from Mary. “The Vatican released a statement on Mary today. Turns out they agree with us Protestants on this part, even though several Catholics tried to argue otherwise on X,” wrote one user on X. “The Note emphasises that “the biblical statement about Christ’s exclusive mediation is conclusive. Christ is the only Mediator’ The note states, the title of ‘Co-redemptrix’ is deemed inappropriate and problematic. So there you have it.”