Pope prays at Saint Mary Major after Albania trip

Pope Francis paid a private visit to the Basilica of St Mary Major yesterday morning, to thank Our Lady for the success of his apostolic visit to Albania on Sunday.

A brief statement from the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr Federico Lombardi SJ, said the Holy Father made the trip across the city centre to spend time with Our Lady salus populi Romani – Protectress of the Roman people. The icon on Our Lady in the church is one of Rome's most beloved objects of Marian devotion.

The bouquet of flowers Pope Francis presented to Our Lady was the one he received on Sunday evening, during his meeting with the disabled at the Bethany Home for the disabled in Tirana.

The faithful present in the Basilica at the time joined the Pope for the final recitation of the Salve Regina.

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican at 12.30 Rome time.

Source: VIS