Pope Leo XIV Visits Assisi and Pays Respects at the Tomb of St. Francis

Pope Leo XIV at the Tomb of St. Francis

"It's a wonderful opportunity to be here today on this sacred site. As we prepare to celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis' death we also have an opportunity to prepare ourselves to celebrate this very wonderful and humble St. Francis, who was poor, at a time when the world needs such signs of hope as this saintly man was."

These remarks constituted the initial public statements made by Pope Leo XIV during his pilgrimage to Assisi, as he stood before the tomb of St. Francis.

The Poop will be visiting the Central Italian town of St. Vincent to meet with all the bishops from the Italian Bishops' Conference (Italian bishops) who are finishing their 81st General Assembly here on 20 November.

The Arrival in Assisi

Just after 8 o’clock this morning, a helicopter landed in Assisi bringing Pope Francis for his visit. After being flown from the Vatican to Assisi, he took a ride into Assisi by car; entering the beautiful city of St. Francis, well-known for its art, history, culture, and devotion, has welcomed millions of pilgrims over time; among them have been many popes for nearly two centuries. The last pope to visit Assisi prior to Pope Francis was John Paul II, who signed his encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” in Assisi in 2020.

A cordial reception in the Lower Basilica

This is an ideal time for Pope Leo to pay his respects. The Pope went first to the tomb of Saint Francis, patron saint of Italy, before coming back to Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Vatican for a meeting with the college of bishops at about 8:30 a.m.

Even through continuous rain and very brisk temperatures, there was a small gathering in the square to greet him as he approached by shouting out "Viva il Papa!" (which translates into "Long Live Pope!"). Along with the other friars who were with them to accompany the Pope to the crypt, he was located at the entrance of the convent waiting on him, Father Marco Moroni, the custodian of the convent.

The visit coincides with the Church's preparations to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint's passing through the exhibition of his remains.

A supplication at the gravesite

Prior to the ancient stone boundaries enclosing the body of the saint below the high altar in the Basilica, the Holy Father took a moment to reflect with silence and prayer. After this brief interlude, he addressed the assembled congregation through an audio system that broadcast his message outside of the Basilica. His brief yet meaningful address conveyed his ongoing belief in how much hope for the Church and the world has been given by this simple yet very significant person throughout history.

Prayers for Peace in Montefalco

When he was in Montefalco, near Assisi, where he went to Church and after the service had lunch at the Monastery of Santa Clara, the Pope told reporters that while at the tomb he had prayed for peace during his time there.

He stated that he had offered prayers "for all the faithful in Umbria," the central Italian region that encompasses Assisi and Montefalco.

I seem to be in the midst of a heaven filled with holy people," said Pope Francis. "I was blessed to make two visits this very day to Assisi (today was my second visit) and now to Montefalco, both places radiate their very rich atmosphere of saintly-ness.