Pope Leo XIV visits Pompeii, urging faith, prayer, and charity, calling Jesus “the friend who never rejects us” in message to volunteers.
Newsroom (08/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV marked the first anniversary of his election with a pastoral visit to Pompeii on 8 May, opening his journey with a powerful appeal for faith, charity, and unwavering trust in Jesus Christ. Addressing volunteers and workers at the Shrine of Pompeii’s “Temple of Charity,” the Pope encouraged them to draw inspiration from Christ’s words and example, urging them to share that joy widely through their service.
“Allow yourselves to be inspired and propelled by the joy that comes from Jesus’ words and His example, and proclaim it to everyone,” he said, setting the tone for a visit centered on spiritual renewal and social outreach.
The encounter with charity workers marked the first event of the Pope’s day-long pastoral trip, which also included a visit to Naples. Expressing gratitude for their dedication, Pope Leo XIV praised the volunteers’ generosity and emphasized the significance of beginning his visit in a place closely tied to Saint Bartolo Longo, whom he canonized the previous year.
He described the Shrine of Pompeii as “a place of grace,” where devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary and the legacy of Saint Bartolo bring together people from all walks of life. According to the Pope, this gathering ultimately directs them toward “the one Source of that universal love which alone can give the world serenity and harmony: to lead them to God.”
Living Witness of Faith and Charity
Reflecting on Saint Bartolo’s description of Pompeii as a “place of love that warms the heart” and a “triumph of faith and charity,” the Pope said that vision remains alive today. He pointed to the Shrine’s charitable works as daily expressions of the power of Christ’s Resurrection.
“Here, in the charitable works of the Shrine, the power of Christ’s Resurrection is experienced every day, regenerating hearts through love to the good life of the Gospel,” he said.
Pope Leo highlighted the dynamic relationship between prayer and service, describing the “Temple of Charity” and the “Temple of Faith” as mutually sustaining. Prayer, he explained, fuels acts of compassion, while love produces results that exceed human expectations.
Seeing Christ in the Poor
Recalling the early days of Saint Bartolo Longo in Pompeii, the Pope noted that the region was once marked by poverty, disease, and hardship. Despite these conditions, Bartolo recognized “the face of Christ” in every person he encountered.
Through acts of tenderness, especially toward orphans and the children of prisoners, the saint revealed what the Pope called “the beating heart of God.” This legacy, he said, continues to shape the mission of the Shrine today.
Prayer as the Foundation
Central to that mission is prayer, which Pope Leo XIV described as the foundation of all charitable work. He emphasized the importance of the Holy Rosary, calling it the “hidden force” that makes all other efforts possible.
Urging the faithful to preserve and promote this devotion, he said that contemplating the mysteries of Jesus’ life through Mary’s perspective allows those truths to “penetrate hearts and transform lives.”
He entrusted those present with what he called a “program of life”: to become men and women of prayer who reflect God’s light through humility and clarity. In doing so, they can carry forward the legacy of Saint Bartolo and serve as credible guides for younger generations.
Message to Young People
The Pope also addressed children, adolescents, and young people directly, encouraging them to trust those who care for their growth while placing ultimate confidence in Jesus Christ.
“Jesus is the Friend who never abandons or rejects us,” he said. “The Brother who understands us and always walks beside us.”
He concluded with a broader appeal, inviting all present to entrust humanity to Christ through the intercession of Mary. With divine grace, he said, the pursuit of good remains unstoppable, and hope for a future of peace can be realized.
Ending his visit with a blessing, Pope Leo XIV invoked the intercession of the “Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii” and Saint Bartolo, reinforcing a message that intertwined faith, prayer, and charity as enduring pillars of Christian life.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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