Pope Leo XIV says "trust in Jesus, the Son of God...the Friend who never abandons or rejects us" at Welcome to Pompeii on his 1st Anniversary - FULL TEXT + VIdeo
At the beginning of his pastoral visit to Pompeii, Pope Leo XIV meets with a charitable organization assisting those in need, urging them to always trust in Jesus and let His Word inspire their efforts. Pope Leo visited the “Temple of Charity” at the Shrine of Pompeii on 8 May, the first anniversary of his election as Pope.
GREETING OF THE HOLY FATHER
TO THE PEOPLE WELCOME INTO THE CHARITATIVE WORKS OF THE SANCTUARY
Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii
(Works of the Shrine of Pompeii, Luisa Trapani Hall)
Friday, May 8, 2026
_____________________________
Dearest brothers and sisters, good morning and thank you!
I am very happy to meet all of you, who in various ways are connected to the charitable works of the Shrine of Pompeii: those who have been welcomed, religious, educators, and volunteers. I greet and especially thank the Bishop for his kind words and those of you who have shared your testimonies.
It is beautiful for me to begin this Pastoral Visit in the footsteps of Saint Bartolo Longo , whom I had the joy of canonizing last October 19. He called the Valley of Pompeii "a place of love that warms the heart," "a triumph of faith and charity": virtues he defined as "two wings joined in the same flight."
This reality is still very much alive and visible. Here, in the Works of the Shrine, we daily experience the power of Christ's Resurrection, which, through love, regenerates hearts for the good life of the Gospel. Here, the "Temple of Charity" and the "Temple of Faith" support one another. Prayer fuels the welcome, affection, service, and generous commitment of so many, in the educational centers, in the family homes, and at the soup kitchen named after Pope Francis. And love works miracles that go far beyond all effort and expectation: in the limbs of those who suffer and, even more so, in their souls.
When Saint Bartholomew first arrived in Valle di Pompei, he found a land afflicted by great poverty, inhabited by a few very poor farmers, plagued by malaria and bandits. However, he saw the face of Christ in everyone: in the young and old, and especially in the orphans and children of prisoners, to whom he made them feel, with his tenderness, the beating of God's heart.
To those who told him that his young people were destined for the same fate as their parents, he replied that love can inspire even the most difficult children to do good, and that, in every field of endeavor, only charity ensures certain, great, and lasting victories. He was right, and he proved it by making this place, with faith and commitment, a center of Christian life and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary known throughout the world.
At the foundation of everything, however, as we have said, is prayer, and in particular the Holy Rosary. Symbolically placed at the foundation of the Shrine and the city, it is the hidden engine that makes all the rest possible. I therefore urge all of you to always keep alive and spread this ancient and beautiful devotion, thanks to which, contemplating the Mysteries of Jesus' life with the simple and maternal eyes of Mary, "what He has done" penetrates our hearts and transforms our existence (cf. St. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae , October 16, 2002, 13).
Brothers and sisters, priests, men and women religious, couples working in family homes, educators, volunteers, let this be your life's plan: to be men and women of prayer, to reflect, like clear and humble mirrors, the light that comes from God. Thus you will nourish, with actions and words, the flame of love that Saint Bartholomew has kindled, and you will be, in service, dialogue, and the life of faith, credible models and wise guides for this wonderful youth.
And to you children, children, and young people, I recommend that you trust those who lovingly care for your growth, and even more—and always in your lives—that you trust in Jesus, the Son of God, crucified and risen, who saves and frees us, the Friend who never abandons or rejects us, the Brother who understands us and who always walks with us. Let yourselves be moved and moved by the joy that comes from his words and his example, and proclaim it to all. Our world needs it so much, and you, who know it well, can be, with your freshness, the most convincing witnesses.
Dearest ones, this is a place of grace, where Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Bartholomew bring together men and women of all ages, backgrounds, and conditions, to bring them to the one Source of that universal love that alone can bring serenity and harmony to the world: to bring them to God. Let us cling to Him, as we entrust to Him, through the hands of Mary, all humanity, confident that, with the help of his grace, nothing will be able to stop us from doing good and our hope for a future of peace, here and everywhere, will be fulfilled.
Thank you for what you do! Continue with generosity and trust. I assure you of my remembrance in prayer, I commend you to the intercession of the Heavenly Mother and of Saint Bartholomew, and I bless you all from my heart.
Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, pray for us!
Saint Bartholomew, pray for us!
TO THE PEOPLE WELCOME INTO THE CHARITATIVE WORKS OF THE SANCTUARY
Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii
(Works of the Shrine of Pompeii, Luisa Trapani Hall)
Friday, May 8, 2026
_____________________________
Dearest brothers and sisters, good morning and thank you!
I am very happy to meet all of you, who in various ways are connected to the charitable works of the Shrine of Pompeii: those who have been welcomed, religious, educators, and volunteers. I greet and especially thank the Bishop for his kind words and those of you who have shared your testimonies.
It is beautiful for me to begin this Pastoral Visit in the footsteps of Saint Bartolo Longo , whom I had the joy of canonizing last October 19. He called the Valley of Pompeii "a place of love that warms the heart," "a triumph of faith and charity": virtues he defined as "two wings joined in the same flight."
This reality is still very much alive and visible. Here, in the Works of the Shrine, we daily experience the power of Christ's Resurrection, which, through love, regenerates hearts for the good life of the Gospel. Here, the "Temple of Charity" and the "Temple of Faith" support one another. Prayer fuels the welcome, affection, service, and generous commitment of so many, in the educational centers, in the family homes, and at the soup kitchen named after Pope Francis. And love works miracles that go far beyond all effort and expectation: in the limbs of those who suffer and, even more so, in their souls.
When Saint Bartholomew first arrived in Valle di Pompei, he found a land afflicted by great poverty, inhabited by a few very poor farmers, plagued by malaria and bandits. However, he saw the face of Christ in everyone: in the young and old, and especially in the orphans and children of prisoners, to whom he made them feel, with his tenderness, the beating of God's heart.
To those who told him that his young people were destined for the same fate as their parents, he replied that love can inspire even the most difficult children to do good, and that, in every field of endeavor, only charity ensures certain, great, and lasting victories. He was right, and he proved it by making this place, with faith and commitment, a center of Christian life and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary known throughout the world.
At the foundation of everything, however, as we have said, is prayer, and in particular the Holy Rosary. Symbolically placed at the foundation of the Shrine and the city, it is the hidden engine that makes all the rest possible. I therefore urge all of you to always keep alive and spread this ancient and beautiful devotion, thanks to which, contemplating the Mysteries of Jesus' life with the simple and maternal eyes of Mary, "what He has done" penetrates our hearts and transforms our existence (cf. St. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae , October 16, 2002, 13).
Brothers and sisters, priests, men and women religious, couples working in family homes, educators, volunteers, let this be your life's plan: to be men and women of prayer, to reflect, like clear and humble mirrors, the light that comes from God. Thus you will nourish, with actions and words, the flame of love that Saint Bartholomew has kindled, and you will be, in service, dialogue, and the life of faith, credible models and wise guides for this wonderful youth.
And to you children, children, and young people, I recommend that you trust those who lovingly care for your growth, and even more—and always in your lives—that you trust in Jesus, the Son of God, crucified and risen, who saves and frees us, the Friend who never abandons or rejects us, the Brother who understands us and who always walks with us. Let yourselves be moved and moved by the joy that comes from his words and his example, and proclaim it to all. Our world needs it so much, and you, who know it well, can be, with your freshness, the most convincing witnesses.
Dearest ones, this is a place of grace, where Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Bartholomew bring together men and women of all ages, backgrounds, and conditions, to bring them to the one Source of that universal love that alone can bring serenity and harmony to the world: to bring them to God. Let us cling to Him, as we entrust to Him, through the hands of Mary, all humanity, confident that, with the help of his grace, nothing will be able to stop us from doing good and our hope for a future of peace, here and everywhere, will be fulfilled.
Thank you for what you do! Continue with generosity and trust. I assure you of my remembrance in prayer, I commend you to the intercession of the Heavenly Mother and of Saint Bartholomew, and I bless you all from my heart.
Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, pray for us!
Saint Bartholomew, pray for us!
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