When it was still dark, around 6, Pope Francis paid his homage to Our Lady on the occasion of the day of the Immaculate Conception and reached Piazza Mignanelli, next to Piazza di Spagna.
The pontiff respected tradition again this year but, to avoid gatherings, he did so before dawn. He lingered in prayer asking Mary for the miracle of healing for the many sick and for the future of peoples who suffer from wars, and he placed a basket of flowers that the firefighters brought to the foot of the monument.
The Holy Father then reached the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he continued praying in front of the icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, before returning to the Vatican.
(Unioneonline / ss)
