Friday, 8 May 2026 · Retrospective
On Friday, 8 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited Pompeii's Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, celebrated Mass in Piazza Bartolo Longo and joined the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. The visit brought together prayer for peace, the shrine's charitable work and the first anniversary of his election as Pope.
A day with a special meaning
The date connected several parts of Pompeii's religious history. It was the first anniversary of Leo XIV's election on 8 May 2025 and the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. His homily also recalled the 150th anniversary of the laying of the shrine's foundation stone and the recent canonization of its founder, Saint Bartolo Longo.
The Pope explained why he had chosen to come: he wanted to place his ministry under the protection of the Virgin Mary. He also linked his name, Leo, to Pope Leo XIII and that Pope's teaching on the Rosary. Rather than an archaeological visit, this was a pastoral visit centred on the sanctuary, its community and the people it supports.
How the morning unfolded
Leo XIV arrived in Pompeii by helicopter in the morning. His first meeting was with people connected to the sanctuary's charitable works: residents, religious communities, educators and volunteers. At the 'Temple of Charity', he heard testimonies and spoke about the relationship between prayer and practical care for people in need.
He then went to the sanctuary, where he greeted people with illnesses and disabilities. They followed the Mass on screens inside. At 10:00, the Vatican's account records his visit to the Chapel of Saint Bartolo Longo to venerate the saint's relics and greet the bishops present. He also greeted the sanctuary's priests in the Chapel of Reconciliation.
At 10:30, the Pope arrived in Piazza Bartolo Longo for Mass. The celebration included the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii, and Archbishop Tommaso Caputo thanked him on behalf of the community. RAI reported more than 20,000 faithful gathered in and around the square, with screens helping people follow the celebration.
In the afternoon, the visit continued in Naples, including the cathedral and Piazza del Plebiscito. Those later meetings formed the second part of the same pastoral journey, not additional events at the Pompeii ruins.
The message from Pompeii: prayer and peace
Peace was a central theme of the homily. Leo XIV spoke about wars, international tensions and an economy that puts the arms trade before respect for human life. He called for renewed commitment at political, economic, spiritual and religious levels, and prayed for mercy to overcome resentment and hatred and guide those responsible for government.
His reflection on the Rosary was more than an invitation to repeat a prayer. He presented it as a way of contemplating the life of Jesus through Mary's eyes, connected with the Eucharist and expressed through love of others. He drew attention to families and to peace as intentions that remained urgent.
The appeal gave the day a meaning beyond the anniversary itself: prayer, in his account, should open people's eyes to the needs of the world and lead to concrete acts of care.
Saint Bartolo Longo and the shrine's charitable work
The Pope had canonized Bartolo Longo on 19 October 2025. In Pompeii, he recalled the founder's care for orphans and children of prisoners and encouraged the people continuing that work today.
At the charity meeting, Leo XIV described the 'Temple of Charity' and the 'Temple of Faith' as supporting each other. His address referred to educational centres, family homes and the soup kitchen named after Pope Francis. He thanked staff and volunteers and encouraged young people to trust those caring for them.
This part of the visit helps explain the sanctuary's place in modern Pompeii. It is a centre of devotion, but its story also includes education, welcome and support for vulnerable people. The Pope's itinerary put those people and services at the beginning of the day.
The sanctuary and the archaeological park are different places
The papal celebration took place at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary and in Piazza Bartolo Longo, in the modern town of Pompei. It should not be confused with an event inside the ancient city's archaeological park.
For visitors interested in both sides of Pompeii, the sanctuary tells a different story from the streets, houses and public buildings preserved by the eruption of AD 79. Combining them can offer a fuller view of the town, but they remain separate visits with their own access arrangements.
This page is a retrospective of 8 May 2026, not a current event notice. The former ticket-registration links, vehicle restrictions and popemobile-route advice for that day have been removed. They should not be used to plan a visit now. For a future trip, check current information directly with the sanctuary and the archaeological park.
Sources and further reading
- Vatican Press Office: Mass and full homily, 8 May 2026
- Vatican Press Office: greeting to sick people and people with disabilities
- Vatican News: the Pope's appeal for peace in Pompeii
- Vatican Press Office: arrival and meeting with the Temple of Charity (Italian)
- RAI News: reporting from Pompeii and Naples (Italian)
- ANSA: completed-day report, 8 May 2026 (Italian)
Research checked 28 October 2026. Event sources dated 8 May 2026.