Pope joins procession to Our Lady of the Lake

Pope arrives on board the Falco

Source: Vatican Media

On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV became the first Pope to take part in the procession of Our Lady of the Lake, on Lake Albano.

The Holy Father crossed the lake aboard the Falco, together with the statue of the Virgin Mary. The journey took about 25 minutes. The boat was accompanied by canoes carrying young people who had taken part in the Castel Gandolfo championships, as well as dragon boats and other vessels.

Before the Pope's arrival, Salesian novices led the faithful in prayer and song as they waited on the lakeshore. They sang hymns, including Eccomi, and read passages from the Gospel, interspersed with moments of meditation and prayer. Hundreds of people had gathered along the lakeside on beach loungers and pedal boats, waiting to see the Pope. Many of the faithful and pilgrims present recorded the moment on their phones.

Pope Leo stepped ashore to applause while tenor Aurelio Grimaldi and his wife, Elena Kovalova, performed La Vergine degli angeli from Verdi's La forza del destino, followed by César Franck's Panis Angelicus. They were accompanied on the piano by Maestro Massimiliano Franchina.

The faithful, local authorities and mayors wearing the Italian tricolor sash listened to the Pope's prayer in silence.

As the sun set over Lake Albano, Pope Leo XIV led prayers to Our Lady of the Lake beginning a prayer of supplication for a world marked by war, suffering and division.

The Holy Father entrusted the Church and the peoples of the world to Mary, whom he described as "a woman of listening and service."

Addressing the Blessed Mother "with a filial heart," he prayed for a Church that is "courageous in proclaiming the Gospel, humble in service and persevering in charity."

"To your loving protection we entrust all the peoples of the earth: look with kindness upon your children wounded by war and encourage in everyone the desire for peace."

Pope Leo then prayed for those who are suffering and for those who have a responsibility to care for others.

"Where hatred grows, teach us forgiveness; where fear prevails, restore hope," he prayed.

The Holy Father asked Mary to look with particular care upon "children, the elderly, the sick, families, young people and all those who live in loneliness."

"Support those who have responsibility in public life, so that they may always promote justice, freedom, the dignity of every person and the common good."

The Pope also remembered those who live and work around the lake and those who come there in search of peace.

"May each person, looking to You," he prayed, "rediscover the path that leads to Christ, the one Saviour of the world. He lives and reigns forever and ever."

"Long live the Pope!" pilgrims called out as he concluded. A long applause followed, before the Castel Gandolfo marching band began to play. The band is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its foundation this year.

As evening fell, the Pope left the lakeshore and made his way to the car waiting for him. The procession came to an end with the faithful having gathered in prayer before the statue of Mary.

Lake Albano was gradually covered in darkness as the people of the town took home the memory of an evening of prayer for peace.

Watch the Mass and Procession: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MTCvU47fnM