Pope Leo XIV prays at Pope Francis’ tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica, lays white roses, honors predecessor en route to Castel Gandolfo.
Newsroom (04/11/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV made an unscheduled stop at the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Tuesday evening to pray at the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and before the revered icon of Salus Populi Romani, the Holy See Press Office reported.
The pontiff arrived at approximately 8:05 p.m. en route to Castel Gandolfo, where he observes a weekly day of rest. He placed a bouquet of white roses on the marble slab covering Pope Francis’ tomb — a site perpetually adorned with a single white rose in memory of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a saint closely associated with the late Argentine pope.
Located between the Sforza Chapel and the Pauline Chapel, the tomb has become a focal point for pilgrims since Pope Francis’ burial. The Pauline Chapel also houses the ancient icon of Salus Populi Romani, which the late pontiff frequently visited before and after international trips and hospital stays.
Pope Leo spent several minutes in silent prayer before the Marian image, departing the basilica at 8:15 p.m. to continue to Castel Gandolfo.
Morning Mass in Suffrage
Earlier Tuesday, Pope Leo celebrated a Mass in suffrage for Pope Francis and cardinals and bishops who died over the past year at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.
In his homily, the Holy Father spoke with “great affection” of his predecessor, noting that Pope Francis “died after opening the Holy Door and imparting the Easter Blessing to Rome and the whole world.” He described the Jubilee-year liturgy — his first such Mass — as imbued with “the flavor of Christian hope,” a virtue he said the late pope and deceased prelates had “lived, witnessed, and taught.”
Pattern of Devotion
The visit marks Pope Leo’s third public act of homage at the tomb. On May 10, two days after his election, he laid flowers and prayed briefly. He returned June 22 following the Corpus Christi procession from St. John Lateran to St. Mary Major.
The basilica, one of Rome’s four papal major basilicas, continues to draw steady streams of faithful to Pope Francis’ resting place.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
Related Images:
