Vatican City: Pompeii is preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV on May 8 as the Catholic Church marks the first anniversary of his pontificate. Pope’s visit to the Marian city in southern Italy is being seen as a moment of deep spiritual importance for the local faithful and pilgrims arriving from many parts of the world.
Archbishop Tommaso Caputo, the Pontifical Delegate for the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, said the community is filled with joy and gratitude as it prepares for the historic visit. He described the Pope’s presence as “a special gift” that will strengthen faith and inspire the city to become “a sanctuary of light, a school of prayer, and a fortress of peace.”
The visit comes eleven years after Pope Francis travelled to Pompeii in 2015. Earlier papal visits were made by Saint John Paul II in 1979 and 2003, while Pope Benedict XVI visited the shrine in 2008.
Thousands of pilgrims are expected to gather for the celebration. According to Archbishop Caputo, requests to attend have come from many countries, although space limitations mean not everyone can be accommodated. The Pope will celebrate Mass in the square before the shrine at 10:30 in the morning local time. After the Eucharistic celebration, he will lead the traditional prayer of entrustment to Our Lady of Pompeii, known as the Supplica, composed in 1883 by Saint Bartolo Longo, founder of the shrine.
Pope’s schedule will also include moments focused on charity and compassion. He is expected to meet representatives of charitable institutions linked to the shrine, often described as the “Temple of Charity.” Before Mass, he will meet the sick, elderly people, and persons with disabilities inside the Basilica. He will also travel through nearby streets in the popemobile to greet pilgrims and local residents.
Archbishop Caputo said the city’s main preparation for the papal visit has been prayer, especially the Rosary, which holds a central place in the spiritual life of Pompeii. Alongside spiritual preparation, local authorities and volunteers have been working closely together to manage security, transport, and crowd arrangements for the expected large gathering.
Pompeii, known around the world for its archaeological ruins, receives millions of visitors every year. Alongside tourism, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary remains one of Italy’s major pilgrimage centres. Yet the Archbishop also acknowledged the social difficulties faced by many families in the region, especially young people struggling with unstable employment and low wages. He noted that the shrine continues to support educational and vocational initiatives inspired by the vision of Saint Bartolo Longo.
A special focus during the Pope’s visit will be prayer before the chapel of Saint Bartolo Longo, who was canonised in October 2025. Devotion to the saint has grown significantly since his canonisation, with pilgrims from countries including Poland, India, and several Latin American nations showing increasing interest in his life and spirituality.
Archbishop Caputo said Saint Bartolo Longo’s message remains powerful for the modern world because his life was marked by conversion and renewed faith. He said the saint reminds people that no one is beyond the love and mercy of God and that every person can return from darkness to hope.
The Archbishop expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV’s visit would leave a lasting spiritual impact on Pompeii and renew the community’s commitment to faith and charitable service.