Pope Leo XIV Visits St. Mary Major, Prays at the Tomb of Pope Francis

Rome, November 4, 2025 — In a gesture of reverence and continuity, Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Monday evening, where he prayed at the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the visit came shortly after the commemoration of All Souls’ Day, when the Church prays for the faithful departed. The Pope spent time in silent prayer before the tomb, located in the basilica’s crypt, where Pope Francis was laid to rest following his death in January this year.

The Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of Rome’s four papal basilicas, has long been associated with deep Marian devotion. It was also a place of special significance for Pope Francis, who frequently visited the site throughout his pontificate — especially before and after his international journeys — to entrust them to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People).

Pope Leo XIV’s quiet visit is seen as both a tribute to his predecessor’s legacy and a reaffirmation of his own devotion to Mary. Since the beginning of his pontificate, Leo XIV has emphasized continuity with Pope Francis’ pastoral vision, particularly in matters of compassion, ecological concern, and the renewal of the Church’s missionary spirit.

Vatican observers noted that the Pope’s prayer at the tomb of his predecessor highlights the spiritual thread connecting successive pontificates — a gesture not of ceremony, but of fraternity and gratitude.

The visit concluded with a moment of reflection before the ancient icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where the Pope reportedly prayed for peace in the world and for the Church’s unity.

Source and Image Credits : Vatican News