Pope Leo XIV visits Assisi, prays at St. Francis’s tomb ahead of 800th death anniversary, says saint’s humble witness offers hope to a searching world.
Newsroom (20/11/2025 Gaudium Press )Pope Leo XIV made an emotional pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi on Wednesday morning, declaring the 13th-century saint’s life of poverty and simplicity especially urgent “at a time when the world is searching for signs of hope.”
“It is a blessing to be able to come here today to this sacred place,” the Pope said, standing in the dim crypt beneath the Lower Basilica of St. Francis. “As we approach the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s death, we have the opportunity to prepare to celebrate this great, humble, and poor saint.”
The brief but poignant address, delivered before the rough-hewn stone that encases the saint’s remains, marked the pontiff’s first public words during a one-day pastoral visit to the medieval hill town in Umbria.
Pope Leo arrived by helicopter shortly after 8 a.m., touching down in steady rain and near-freezing temperatures. He traveled by car up the winding roads into Assisi’s historic center before proceeding directly to the Franciscan sanctuary, continuing a tradition that has seen twenty popes visit the birthplace of Italy’s patron saint.
Hundreds of pilgrims and local residents braved the weather in the square outside the basilica, erupting in cries of “Viva il Papa!” as the papal motorcade appeared. The pontiff was greeted at the entrance by the custodian of the Sacred Convent, Friar Marco Moroni OFM Conv, and a delegation of brown-robed friars who escorted him down the narrow stairs into the crypt.
After several minutes of silent prayer before the tomb, located directly under the high altar of the Lower Basilica, Pope Leo addressed those present and the crowd listening via loudspeaker outside.
His words come as the universal Church prepares for a series of Franciscan centenaries culminating in 2026, the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s death. A plenary indulgence has been granted for the occasion, and the saint’s remains are expected to be exposed for veneration in the coming year.
The Assisi visit preceded Pope Leo’s main engagement of the day: a closed-door meeting with members of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) concluding their 81st plenary assembly at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the valley below the town.
Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff to visit Assisi since his predecessor, Pope Francis, came in October 2020 to sign the encyclical Fratelli Tutti at the saint’s tomb.
With rain still falling, the Pope departed the crypt shortly before 9 a.m., pausing briefly to greet friars and pilgrims before continuing to the Porziuncola for the encounter with Italy’s bishops.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
Related Images:
