May 12, 2017
12th May >> As is his usual custom, Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray for the success of his 19th Apostolic Visit abroad to the Portuguese town of Fatima, May 12-13, for the centenary of the Marian apparitions. The Holy Father almost always visits Rome’s Marian Basilica to pray for Mary’s protection and intercession before and after his papal trips. According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope prayed before the ancient image of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, and invoked the Virgin Mary’s protection on his travels and upon the people he will visit in the country today and tomorrow.
