Surprise visit of Pope Leo XIV to the sanctuary of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano , in the Castelli Romani. It is not the first time that Prevost has gone to the sanctuary and the previous ones have always been on important occasions, such as when he assumed the role of prior general of the Augustinians, and then after his nominations as bishop and cardinal.
Pope Prevost, in a white cassock and skullcap and with a white stole with yellow edges wrapped around his waist , arrived in Genazzano aboard a black SUV escorted by Vatican gendarmes . A cheering crowd greeted him, with whom he exchanged greetings and handshakes.
Upon his entrance, the Pope stopped for a moment of prayer in front of the icon of the Madonna.
Prevost has always shown a deep devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel, already on the occasion of the visit made a year ago . Then he had gathered in prayer before the sacred image of the Mother of Good Counsel, kept in the Basilica Sanctuary, thus publicly testifying his spiritual bond with this ancient Marian devotion.
This is the new Pope's first public appearance two days after his election.
After the visit to Genazzano, Pope Leo XIV then went to Santa Maria Maggiore to pray privately at the tomb of his predecessor Francis .
(Unioneonline/vl)
