Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV will join the faithful in Rome on 8 December to honour the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, continuing a cherished papal tradition that dates back more than a century. As in previous years, the Pope will visit the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Piazza Mignanelli, beside the iconic Spanish Steps, for a public act of prayer and devotion.
Every year on this solemn feast, civic leaders, clergy, religious orders, charitable associations, and ordinary citizens gather before the towering statue of Our Lady to offer prayers and floral tributes. The custom, known as the “homage to Mary,” blends public devotion with the religious heart of the city.
This year’s ceremony will see Pope Leo XIV step into the tradition upheld by his predecessors including St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and most recently Pope Francis, who visited the site in 2024 and entrusted the upcoming Jubilee Year to Mary as a “sign of hope for a world burdened by conflict and crisis.”
Now, as the Jubilee draws to a close, Pope Leo returns to the Marian monument to renew Rome’s devotion to the Mother of God.
According to the Vicariate of Rome, the day’s commemorations will begin at sunrise. At 7 a.m., firefighters’ custodians of one of Rome’s most beloved traditions will climb to the top of the 12-metre column to place a wreath on the statue’s outstretched arm.
At 4 p.m., Pope Leo XIV will arrive at Piazza Mignanelli, where he will be welcomed by Cardinal Baldo Reina, the Cardinal Vicar of Rome, and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. The Pope will lead a moment of silent prayer before laying flowers at the base of the column in honour of the Immaculate Virgin.
Throughout the morning, several groups connected to Rome’s religious and charitable life will offer prayers and music. The Vatican Gendarmerie band will perform a hymn to the Madonna at 8:30 a.m., followed by contributions from the parish of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the Legio Mariae, the Circolo San Pietro, the Don Gnocchi Foundation, Unitalsi, and numerous schools and institutions.
Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. in the Church of TrinitĂ dei Monti, presided over by Monsignor Francesco Pesce, diocesan representative for social and labour ministry, alongside workers from various Roman companies.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception also marks the culmination of Rome’s oldest novena dedicated to Mary, held annually at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles. Organized by the Conventual Franciscan Friars, the novena runs from 29 November to 7 December, featuring an evening programme of prayer and music.
Each day begins with the Rosary at 5:45 p.m., followed by Marian litanies. The 6:30 p.m. Mass is introduced with the traditional hymn Tota Pulchra, composed by Conventual Franciscan Alessandro Borroni. A different Cardinal presides over the liturgy each evening, reflecting the novena’s significance within the life of the Roman Church.
As thousands gather in the heart of Rome, Pope Leo XIV’s participation underscores the enduring bond between the papacy and the city’s Marian devotion. The annual act of homage blending history, culture, and prayer continues to stand as one of Rome’s most iconic expressions of faith on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.