Pope Leo XIV 1st Trip Outside the Vatican to Mother of Good Counsel Augustinian Shrine to Pray with a Special Message


Pope Leo XIV made his 1st trip outside the Vatican to visit the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, just outside Rome, saying he "wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new Ministry ... that the Church has entrusted to me.’
Pope Leo visited the shrine, which has been run by the Augustinians since 1200, at around 4pm for a private visit; on Saturday, May 9th, 2025.
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The shrine is home to an ancient image of the Virgin Mary, which comes from Shkodër (Albania) and was much loved by Pope Leo XIII, who never managed to visit it but did elevate it to the dignity of minor basilica in 1903.
Other Popes had visited the Mother of Good Counsel: John XXIII in 1959 and John Paul II in 1993.
Today, however, the visit came from Pope Leo XIV who, as a cardinal, had celebrated Mass at the shrine on the 25 April 2024.
In his homily, the then Cardinal Prevost expressed his devotion to the Virgin, urging the faithful to be inspired by Mary to spread peace and reconciliation in the world.
Pope Leo arrived in a Volkswagen multivan, seated in the front; he was greeted by a cheering crowd of hundreds of people gathered in the square or looking out of windows and balconies.
Many shouted “Leo, Leo” and the nearby streets filled up. Entering the church, where he greeted the Augustinian religious, the Pope stopped to pray, first in front of the altar and then in front of the image of the Virgin. With those present, he recited John Paul II's prayer to the Mother of Good Counsel.
Following the prayer he said a Hail Mary and sang the Salve Regina, then the Pope addressed those who were in the church, greeting them and the people of Genazzano gathered outside: ‘I wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new Ministry of carrying out the mission of Successor of Peter that the Church has entrusted to me.’
Recalling the visit he made after his election as Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine, and his choice to ‘offer his life to the Church’, Leo XIV reiterated his ‘trust in the Mother of Good Counsel’, quoting the words addressed by Mary to the servants at the Wedding at Cana: ‘Whatever she tells you, do it’.

The Pope then held a private meeting with the Augustinian community.



At the end of the meeting with the Augustinian community of Genazzano, the Pope appeared at the portal of the Basilica and, greeting those present, repeated "Good evening!" twice. Then he addressed them a few words, expressing his joy at having been able to come and pray to the Mother of Good Counsel. He recalled the great devotion "that I have had in my heart for many years", and that he had been to Genazzano several times, for "almost 50 years". The presence of the Madonna, he added, is "such a great gift" for the people of the Lazio town, from which also comes a great responsibility: "just as the Mother never abandons her children, you must also be faithful to the Mother". Then the Pope greeted the children, and the young at heart - "We all are, aren't we?", he said - and evoked the spirit of enthusiasm with which to follow Jesus, according to the example of Mary. A Peruvian believer greeted him aloud, and the Pope responded: "Good, good, Peruvians, my brothers!". Finally, before leaving the Sanctuary, he blessed all those present. Source: Vatican News

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