Pope Leo XIV to Uphold Papal Tradition on Feast of Immaculate Conception

Vatican City, 4 December, 2025 — Pope Leo XIV will continue the longstanding papal tradition of visiting the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary near Rome’s Spanish Steps on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, participating in the annual act of homage that unites civic representatives, religious groups and pilgrims in prayer and devotion. 

The traditional visit takes place each year on 8 December at the column in Piazza Mignanelli crowned by the statue of Mary, where representatives of the city and various organisations offer flowers and prayer. This year’s observance will see Pope Leo following in the footsteps of his predecessors, including Benedict XVI and St John Paul II, who upheld the practice as a sign of Marian devotion and spiritual unity. 

The act of homage expresses a blend of tradition and devotion on the feast that celebrates Mary’s conception without original sin — a significant moment in the liturgical calendar for Catholics worldwide. 

Rome’s fire brigade traditionally leads the homage by placing a wreath on the statue early in the morning, followed later by civic associations, religious communities and lay faithful who gather to mark the solemnity with prayer and floral offerings. 

Pope Leo’s participation in this event comes just weeks after his first overseas apostolic journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, underscoring his commitment to both the Church’s ancient devotional practices and its active engagement with contemporary global concerns.

Source and Image Credits : Vatican News