Wow Pope Leo XIV Entrusts the War-Torn World to Mary in Historic Boat Procession of Our Lady of the Lake as the 1st Pontiff to Participate!


 Pope Leo XIV Entrusts Wounded Children and War-Torn World to Mary During Lake Albano Procession

On Aug. 29, in the evening on Lake Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV led a Marian procession and delivered a solemn prayer of supplication for a world fractured by war, suffering, and division. 

"To your loving protection," Pope Leo reassured, we entrust all the peoples of the earth: look with kindness upon your children wounded by war and encourage in everyone the desire for peace."

Marking the first time a Pontiff has participated in the procession of Our Lady of the Lake, Pope Leo crossed the water aboard the Falco alongside the statue of the Virgin Mary, escorted by a flotilla of canoes, dragon boats, and local vessels.

The procession originated at the Church of Mary Most Holy of the Lake and culminated at Giorgio’s Beach. Crowds gathered along the shore, on beach loungers, and on pedal boats to witness the arrival. Before the Pontiff's arrival, Salesian novices guided the faithful through Gospel readings, hymns, and silent meditation. "May each person, looking to You," Pope Leo prayed, "rediscover the path that leads to Christ, the one Savior of the world. He lives and reigns forever and ever."



Upon stepping ashore to warm applause, Pope Leo joined the assembly, local mayors, and civic authorities as tenor Aurelio Grimaldi and Elena Kovalova performed Verdi’s La Vergine degli angeli and Franck’s Panis Angelicus.

A Prayer for Peace and Healing

Evoking the Gospel scenes of crowds gathering around Jesus along the Sea of Galilee, Pope Leo addressed the Virgin Mary as a "woman of listening and service," entrusting to her protection the Church and all humanity:

  • For the Global Community: "Look with kindness upon your children wounded by war and encourage in everyone the desire for peace."

  • For Spiritual Renewal: "Where hatred grows, teach us forgiveness; where fear prevails, restore hope."

  • For the Vulnerable: Special care was asked for children, the elderly, the sick, isolated individuals, and struggling families.

  • For Civic Leaders: Prayers were offered for public officials to consistently promote justice, freedom, human dignity, and the common good. "Support," he said, "those who have responsibility in public life, so that they may always promote justice, freedom, the dignity of every person and the common good."

The quiet, prayerful evening concluded with shouts of "Long live the Pope!" and a performance by the Castel Gandolfo marching band. Pope Leo departed as night fell, leaving pilgrims with a shared memory of prayer for global peace.

Source - Edited from Vatican News with Vatican Media Images

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