James O'Reilly
On May 8, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the patroness of the city of Pompeii—but this year it also celebrates the first anniversary of Leo XIV's papacy. He therefore entrusted himself to Our Lady of the Rosary on the same day he was elected Pope.
After visiting and praying in the chapel where the remains of Saint Bartolo Longo are kept, the Pope presided over Mass in a square filled with almost 20,000 faithful who waited with great anticipation to welcome him during his first visit to the Vesuvian city.
POPE LEO XIV
Exactly one year ago, when I was entrusted with the ministry of Successor of Peter, it was precisely the day of the Supplication to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii... in this beautiful day of the Supplication of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii. I therefore had to come here to place my service under the protection of the Holy Virgin. Having then chosen the name Leo, I follow in the footsteps of Leo XIII, who, among other merits, also had the merit of developing a broad Magisterium on the Holy Rosary.
During the homily, moreover, the Pope did not hesitate to praise the benefits of praying the Rosary daily, and its powerful effects in the life of grace. He also recalled Pope St. John Paul II’s dedication of the year 2003 to the Rosary in response to the world’s conflicts.
POPE LEO XIV
The wars that are still being fought in many regions of the world call for a renewed commitment that is not only economic and political, but also spiritual and religious. Peace is born within the heart.
We cannot resign ourselves to the images of death that the news reports present to us every day.
One year has now passed since the Church chose the new Successor of St. Peter. Seeing as his first day as pope fell under the patronage of Our Lady of the Rosary, it is only fitting that Leo XIV should spend it here, in Naples and Pomepii, where she is greatly loved and honored.
