Pope Francis Pays Homage to Salus Populi Romani at St Mary Major

By Vatican News

As Holy Week commences, Pope Francis made a special visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome on Saturday afternoon. This visit was a gesture of homage to the icon of the Virgin Mary known as Salus Populi Romani.

The Holy See Press Office shared that Pope Francis entered the Basilica to offer prayers before the sacred icon. His deep devotion to Salus Populi Romani, also known as Our Lady Protectress of Rome, is evident in his frequent visits to the Basilica.

After his recent discharge from Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis stopped by the Basilica to present flowers to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest, which were placed before the icon as a sign of reverence.

A Tradition of Devotion

Since his election in March 2013, Pope Francis has made it a personal tradition to pray before Salus Populi Romani before and after each Apostolic Journey. His latest visit to St Mary Major marks one of over a hundred such visits, with the most recent one taking place in December 2024 before his Apostolic Journey to Ajaccio, Corsica.