Pope Leo XIV made his first trip out of the Vatican on Saturday (10), driving about an hour’s east of Rome to the small Italian town of Genazzano, to visit a Virgin Mary shrine.
The new pontiff arrived for the surprise visit on the passenger seat of a Volkswagen vehicle and was received with applause by the crowd gathered in front of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Council.
The former American cardeal, who until then used the name Robert Prevost, was elected Pope on May 8. He is a member of the Augustinian religious order, which manages the Sanctuary in Genazzano.
Pope squeezed his hands and offered some people in the crowd before entering the sanctuary.
At the end of the visit, Leo XIV told those who wanted to pray for guidance in the early days of his papacy, according to a Vatican statement.
The late Pope Francis, who died on April 21, made surprise visits to Catholic places near Rome quite often. He was particularly devoted to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maior in Rome, another Marian sanctuary, and chose to be buried there.
This content was originally published in Papa makes a surprise visit to the sanctuary on the first trip outside the Vatican on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
