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Pope Leo 14 made his first trip out of the Vatican on Saturday, in a place for an hour east of Rome, to visit a Catholic sanctuary, stopping on the way back to pay tributes in the grave of his predecessor, Francis.
In the first departure of the Vatican, Leo 14 visits Pope Francis’ tomb. Photo: Reproduction
Leo 14 waved on the side of the passenger of a Volkswagen upon arriving at the Santa Maria Maior Basilica in Rome. Entering the church under some shouts of “Viva Il Papa” (Long live the Pope), Leo 14 slowly walked to the tomb of Francis, depositing a white flower in him.
He then knelt in prayer for a few moments.
The new Pope made the trip to Santa Maria Maior after traveling to the small town of Genazzano, where he had previously visited a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Leo 14-former US cardeal Robert Prevost-was elected Pope on May 8. He is a member of the Agostinian religious order, which manages the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Council in Genazzano.
Pope squeezed his hands and offered some people in the crowd before entering the sanctuary.
At the end of the visit, he told those present at the sanctuary that he wanted to pray asking for guidance in the early days of his papacy, according to a statement from the Vatican.
Pope Francis, who died on April 21, made surprise visits to Catholic places near Rome quite often. He asked to be buried in Santa Maria Maior, in a simple tomb, decorated only with the inscription “Francis”, his name in Latin.
Francis had a special devotion to the Basilica, another Marian sanctuary. In the early days after his burial, more than 30,000 people filled the church to visit their final rest.
