After blessing the faithful, he entered the chapel that houses the Marian icon, traditionally attributed to St. Luke, and, kneeling, prayed for a few minutes before placing a bouquet of flowers at ...

The Virgin Mary icon seemed to become almost an ally for Francis in his papacy. He visited her on his first day as pope in 2013, and would pray to her before and after every trip out of Rome.

Pope Leo XIV prayed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major following the Mass where he took possession of the Basilica of St. John Lateran as bishop of Rome. Monday, July 07, 2025 A service of EWTN News ...

Pope Francis had earlier said that he wants to be buried not in St Peter's Basilica or its grottoes, where most popes are buried, but in the St Mary Major Basilica across town. This reflects his ...