Pope prays before icon of Our Lady on return from Japan and Thailand

Nov 27th, 2019

Salus Populi Romani

Source: Vatican News

The All Nippon Airways (ANA) aircraft carrying Pope Francis from Tokyo, touched down last night at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Before heading to Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican, at the end of the long flight, Pope Francis stopped at the Basilica of St Mary Major to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the successful conclusion of his 31st Apostolic Journey to Thailand and Japan.

This has become a tradition with Pope Francis. Before and after every apostolic trip abroad, he visits Rome's largest church dedicated to Our Lady, usually placing a bouquet of flowers before the ancient icon of the Virgin Mary, venerated under the Latin title 'Salus Populi Romani' (literally, health or salvation, of the Roman People), and pausing for a moment of silent prayer.

The Pope who has a special devotion to Our Lady, first visited the Basilica of St Mary Major as Pontiff on March 14, 2013, the day after his election.

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