The Holy Father venerates Our Lady in Rome

After celebrating Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and praying the Angelus with the faithful, the Holy Father went to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in the early afternoon, to pray in front of the Salus Populi Romani icon. He was welcomed by the newly created Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Archpriest and Coadjutor of the Basilica, who placed a bouquet of white roses before the icon, on the Pope’s behalf. The Holy Father then went to Piazza di Spagna, where a large crowd was already waiting for him. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by the Vicar of Rome, newly created Cardinal Baldassare Reina, and by the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri. The Pope then offered a large bouquet of white roses to Our Lady, which was carried to the base of the 39-foot-high column bearing her statue. He ...