Pope Leo XIV Makes Surprise Visit to Monasteries of St. Benedict and his Twin Sister St. Scholastica
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Pope Leo XIV Visits Subiaco’s Sacred Monasteries of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica
On the feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene, Pope Leo XIV made a special visit to the historic Benedictine monasteries of Subiaco following his morning at the Shrine of the Most Holy Trinity in Vallepietra.
Arriving at the Monastery of Saint Benedict around noon, the Holy Father spent time in quiet reflection before the 13th-century fresco of Saint Francis. Continuing into the Sacred Cave, he honored tradition by kissing the knee of the statue of Saint Benedict before joining the monks in reciting the Lord's Prayer.
Pope Leo then traveled up to the Monastery of Saint Scholastica, where he toured the historic cloisters and shared a meal with the Benedictine community. He and his delegation departed for Castel Gandolfo shortly after 4:00 PM.
"The Benedictine community welcomes His Holiness with deep joy and gratitude," shared Dom Mauro Meacci, ordinary abbot of Subiaco. "The Holy Father’s presence renews the profound bond between the Church and the Benedictine charism, reminding us all of the primacy of prayer, listening to the Word, and the pursuit of peace."
Words of Blessing
Before departing, Pope Leo left heartfelt messages in both visitors' books:
At St. Benedict: "Pray and work... The witness of the Benedictine monks is vital to the Church and today's world. I thank this community for their warm welcome and invite everyone to pray alongside the Church for global peace."
At St. Scholastica: "I thank the Lord for the grace of visiting this holy place on the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, the first to announce the Resurrection of the Lord."
Pope Leo XIV Makes Pilgrimage to Subiaco
The Itinerary: After visiting the Shrine of the Most Holy Trinity in Vallepietra, Pope Leo XIV traveled to Subiaco around noon on July 22. He visited the Monastery of St. Benedict—praying at the sacred cave and fresco—before dining and touring the nearby Monastery of St. Scholastica.
Community Response: Abbot Dom Mauro Meacci expressed deep gratitude, highlighting how the Pope's visit reinforces the core Benedictine values of prayer, scripture, and peace within the modern Church.
Pope’s Message: Signing the guestbooks on the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, the Pope praised the monks' ongoing witness ("Ora et labora") and issued a call to join the Church in praying for world peace.
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