Pope Leo will celebrate the first anniversary of his election in Pompeii, as previously announced. The Friday celebrations will find him arriving around 9 am to the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, where he will spend time in Eucharistic adoration.
The Pope will celebrate 1o:30 Mass in a plaza named for a man he canonized last fall, St. Bartolo Longo. The saint was instrumental in promoting devotion to Our Lady at the shrine, but is also well known for his complicated past, including a dabble in satanism.
Pope Leo will also visit the chapel dedicated to St. Bartolo, where his relics lie.
At noon, the traditional supplication to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii will take place.
Naples and St. Januarius
After lunch, the Pope will take a 15-minute helicopter to Naples.
There he will be able to pray with the reliquary containing the ampoules of the blood of Saint Januarius.
The saint's blood is said to liquefy three times a year, including on the anniversary of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
Find out about the saint and the ongoing miracle:
The last event of the day will be an Act of Entrustment to the Virgin Mary. A beloved image of the Immaculate Conception will be brought into the square; the event marks the bicentenary of her coronation.
He will depart for the Vatican at 6:45 pm.
Take a look at the beautiful sculptures in Naples, and learn more about the Pope's connection to Pompeii in the first article linked below:
