Pope Leo XIV returns to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano on Monday evening. He travels to the medieval Italian town to celebrate Mass on the vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This visit marks his second trip to the site since his election as Bishop of Rome in May 2025.
Genazzano sits roughly 40 kilometres from Rome. Local residents and Church authorities have prepared for the arrival since the Pope made his initial private visit shortly after taking office. He expressed his personal commitment to the shrine in the official guestbook during that first trip, noting the role of the Virgin Mary in his life and faith. The Pope plans to arrive at the Piazzale della Pace at 4:30 p.m. and will travel to the basilica by popemobile to greet those gathered along the route.
The Artistic and Historical Legacy
Central to the afternoon is the unveiling of a new painting by Marco Innocenzi. The artist, formerly a restorer at the Vatican Museums, captured the Pope in profile at a prie-dieu. This image will hang in the chapel reserved for portraits of predecessors who visited the site. Past visitors include Urban VIII, who sought the Virgin’s intercession for Italy during the 1630 plague, and Pope John Paul II, who prayed there in 1993 before his journey to Albania.
Historians note that the shrine maintains a link to the city of Shkodër. Tradition states the sacred icon arrived miraculously in Genazzano on April 25, 1467. Two Albanian pilgrims recognized the image, which remains a focal point for the local Augustinian community. Archbishop Giovanni Peragine of Shkodër-Pult joins the concelebrated Mass to reinforce this historical and spiritual bond. Fr. Rocco Ronzani, a native of Genazzano and Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archive, also participates in the ceremony.
Ceremonial Gifts and Future Significance
During the Mass, the Pope will present a Golden Rose with three branches to the Mother of Good Counsel. This object features the coats of arms of past donors including Martin V, who gave the first rose in 1431, and Leo XIII, who granted the site basilica status. In return, the Pope receives a relic of Blessed Stefano Bellesini, an Augustinian priest whose remains lie within the Basilica. The vestments worn by the Pope include embroidery that references the Wedding at Cana.
Bishop Mauro Parmeggiani of the Dioceses of Tivoli and Palestrina views the event as a family gathering. He told Vatican News that the presence of the shrine serves as a prompt for the faithful to look toward Christ. The Bishop hopes the community uses this moment to strengthen local pastoral work and focus on unity. His perspective reflects the broader goals of the Church in the region as it manages its daily operations and historical duties.
Fr. Ludovico Centra, the rector of the shrine, emphasized the Pope’s long-standing connection to this site, noting the devotion started during the Pope's time in Chicago. He views the visit as a clear instruction to the faithful to listen to the advice of Mary. The Pope intends for this Mass to serve as a moment of entrustment, encouraging participants to seek the will of her Son. The ceremony concludes a long period of preparation for the town, leaving the new vestments to remain in the museum as a permanent record of the visit.