Pope Leo XIV Prays at Tomb of Predecessor, Pope Francis

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome today to pray at the tomb of Pope Francis and before the icon of Salus Populi Romani.

The Pope stopped at the basilica around 8:05 p.m. on his way to Castel Gandolfo for his weekly day of rest, laying a bouquet of white roses on Pope Francis’s tomb – a tradition honoring Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, a figure significant to the late pontiff. He then paused in prayer before the Marian image, frequently visited by Pope Francis before international travels and during times of illness. This act of remembrance underscores the continuity and respect within the papacy.

Earlier today, Pope Leo celebrated a Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica in suffrage for Pope Francis and other cardinals and bishops who passed away in the last year. During his homily, he recalled Pope Francis “died after opening the Holy Door and imparting the Easter Blessing to Rome and the whole world,” adding that the Jubilee celebration carried “the flavor of Christian hope.” The Vatican’s Holy See Press Office confirmed the details of both the Mass and the evening visit.

This visit follows previous occasions where Pope Leo paid his respects to his predecessor, including shortly after his election in May and again in June during the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Basilica of St. Mary Major is one of the four major basilicas of Rome and holds significant spiritual importance for the Catholic Church; you can learn more about its history and art on its official website.

The Holy See Press Office stated that Pope Leo will continue his scheduled rest at Castel Gandolfo, and no further public engagements are planned for this evening.