Pope Leo XIV Visits St. Mary Major and Prays at Pope Francis's Tomb

Before Pope Leo XIV took his regular weekly Sabbath at Castel Gandolfo, he made a quick visit to St. Mary Major to pray at the tomb of Pope Francis this afternoon around 8:05 p.m.

Pope Leo left a bouquet of white roses on the marble slab that always holds a white rose dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who had a long-lasting spiritual influence on the Argentine Pope. This was done as a tribute to Pope Leo's predecessor, whose remains rest between the Sforza Chapel and the Pauline Chapel. The Pauline Chapel contains the well-known icon of Salus Populi Romani, to which Pope Francis goes before and after he travels internationally or visits hospitals.

As reported by the Holy See Press Office, Pope Leo took a moment to pray before the Marian image prior to departing the basilica at approximately 8:15 p.m. to resume his journey to Castel Gandolfo.

A Mass in Remembrance for Pope Francis

At an earlier time today, Pope Leo said Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at the Altar of the Chair, during which he prayed in suffrage for Pope Francis and for all of the Cardinals and Bishops who died during the last year.

During the Eucharistic celebration, the Holy Father displayed his “great affection” to his predecessor in a homily remarking that he died after opening the Holy Door and giving the Easter Blessing to the city of Rome and the entire earth. As we celebrate this first Jubilee for me, it takes on a special meaning rooted in Christian hope.

A Pilgrim in the Footsteps of Pope Francis

Pope Leo made a statement regarding the recent deaths of several bishops. He referred to how all of the bishops present shared the hope of Pope Francis at that time, and that this hope was "extremely apparent" in how all of the bishops lived their lives at that time. He then added that, "the hope of Pope Francis and the hope that comes from all of the bishops has been very important for Pope Francis." Bishop Francis continues to be a pilgrim at the Church of St. Mary Major located in the Rock of Peters from the beginning of his life until today, just as previous bishops have done.

Two days following his election as Pope on May 10th, Pope Leo visited the tomb of another pope from Argentina, where every day many Roman Catholics from around the globe treat this location with honour and respect. He offered a prayer at that individual's tomb at around the same hour as he typically would do so elsewhere. A second occasion occurred on June 22nd when Pope Leo offered prayers at this same site following the celebration of Corpus Christi on theThursday after the feast of Pentecost and during the procession of the Blessed Sacrament travelling from St John Lateran Cathedral to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.