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Pope Leo XIV will travel to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, on September 7 to preside over a Mass on the eve of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The ceremony, scheduled for 18:00 local time, marks the Pontiff’s second visit to the site since his election to the papacy in May 2025, according to reports confirmed by the Prefecture of the Papal Household and Vatican media.
The upcoming visit highlights a long-standing personal connection between the Pope and the shrine, which is deeply rooted in the Augustinian tradition. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the Pontiff is the first Pope from the Order of Saint Augustine. His association with the sanctuary spans decades, beginning in the early 1980s when he was a student in Rome. He has since visited the site in various capacities, including as Prior General of the Order, Bishop of Chiclayo, and Cardinal, as noted by Gaudium Press.
A Symbol of Personal and Papal Devotion
For Pope Leo XIV, the sanctuary in Genazzano serves as a focal point of his spiritual life. His most recent visit prior to his election occurred on April 25, 2024, during the feast of the “Venuta” (the “Arrival” of the image). During that homily, he encouraged the faithful to emulate Mary’s example in fostering global peace and reconciliation, Canção Nova Notícias reported.
The connection remained significant during the transition to his current office. On May 8, 2025, the day of his election, the Pope prayed before an image of Our Lady of Good Counsel housed in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace before his first appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Two days later, on May 10, 2025, he made a private, surprise visit to the sanctuary in Genazzano to entrust his new ministry to the Virgin Mary.
In the sanctuary’s guestbook, he recorded his reflection on this maternal bond: “During my whole life, she has accompanied me with her maternal presence, with her wisdom and with the example of her love for the Son, who is always the center of my faith,” according to accounts published by Canção Nova Notícias. During that visit, he also presented a chalice and a paten to the shrine.
Historical Significance of the Genazzano Sanctuary
Located approximately 40 kilometers from Rome in the Lazio region, the Sanctuary of the Mother of Good Counsel (Madonna del Buon Consiglio) has been under the care of Augustinian friars since the 14th century. The site’s history is tied to the 1356 decision by the Colonna family to entrust the pastoral care of a local church to the Order of Saint Augustine.
A central figure in the sanctuary’s development was Petruccia, an Augustinian tertiary widow who sold her belongings to fund the reconstruction and expansion of the church. According to tradition, on April 25, 1467, an image of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus appeared on a wall of the church, which was still under construction at the time. Pilgrims from Albania identified the image as one previously venerated in Shkodër, suggesting that it had been moved to Genazzano to protect it from the Ottoman advance, Gaudium Press reported.
The devotion gained prominence over the centuries, eventually leading Pope Leo XIII to elevate the church to a minor basilica in 1903. During the upcoming September 7 visit, a new portrait depicting Pope Leo XIV in prayer before the image of the Virgin is expected to be inaugurated, continuing a tradition followed by his predecessors.
Looking Ahead
The Mass on September 7 serves as a public observance on the eve of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a major feast day in the liturgical calendar.
As the visit approaches, the local Augustinian community and the Diocese of Palestrina continue preparations for the arrival of the Pontiff. Those interested in further information on the sanctuary’s history or upcoming liturgical events may consult official bulletins from the Diocese of Palestrina or the Vatican News service.