Pope Leo XIV’s First Anniversary Tour: Celebrating Faith and Tradition in Southern Italy
Pompeii pilgrimage and a morning Mass
Pope Leo XIV celebrated the one-year mark of his papacy with a trip down south, landing in Pompeii just before nine in the morning. The 70-year-old pontiff, the first American in the job, made a beeline for the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, a spot tucked beside the ancient ruins that once met a volcanic surprise.
At the shrine he paused at the glass coffin of Bartolo Longo and led a Mass for thousands of people who turned up to see him. Local crews were busy the night before—stacking chairs, testing speakers and generally trying to make sure the stage didn’t throw a tantrum on the big day.
Saintly ties, stroller blessings and hometown banter
The shrine has extra meaning for this pope: it was name-checked during his first balcony appearance after being elected, and it holds a historical link to Leo XIII—whose legacy helped inspire his papal name. Bartolo Longo, who founded the sanctuary, was beatified decades ago and was later declared a saint by Leo XIV.
In true small-town style, volunteers and locals added warmth (and a little theater) to the morning. A charity worker plans to hoist a five-month-old so the pope can bless the baby, while nearby residents joked about watching the procession from their windows—one fellow quipped he’d stick his head out since the crowds might block his way to the square.
Heli hop to Naples, big crowds and the farewell circuit
After Pompeii the pope took a helicopter ride into Naples to pay respects at the Duomo and venerate the relics of Saint Genaro. He’s scheduled to speak inside the cathedral, wave from the popemobile along the route, and later address people at Piazza del Plebiscito and inside the Basilica of Saint Francis of Paola before calling it a day.
Authorities expect tens of thousands in both cities, and this outing kicks off a string of short pastoral jaunts across Italy for the summer. The visit follows a recent tour in Africa and arrives amid some diplomatic tension with Washington that has hovered over recent weeks—so the trip mixes celebration, tradition and a dash of high-profile history all in one crowded, sunny package.