Pope Leo visited the statue of Mary at the Spanish Steps to pay tribute to her Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8. This is a papal tradition that started during the mid-20th century.
Before the statue of the Blessed Virgin, dedicated in 1857, the Pope offered a prayer to Mary, entrusting the city of Rome and the entire Church to her intercession. Pope Leo then placed flowers at the foot of the monument and afterwards visited with those in audience who were sick.
