The Roman Catechism states that not only was Jesus free of sin but that Mary, too, was "...conceived and born free from original sin..." "(Roman) Catholic theology understands Mary's role in redemption to be directly related to her status as the mother of God. "(Pope) Pius IX stated: 'The most blessed Virgin, conceived without original sin, was chosen to be the Mother of God so that she might be made an associate in the Redemption of mankind.'" Pope Benedict XV also held that Mary "...herself may justly be said to have redeemed together with Christ the human race." Rather than go directly to the Lord Jesus, as the Roman Bible teaches, Roman Catholics are told to go to Mary, who will act as intercessor between them and the Lord Jesus Christ. From the Papal encyclical of 1897, we read the proclamation: "As no man goes to the Father except by the Son, so no man goes to the Son except by His Mother."
