Vatican releases programmes of Pope Leo's pastoral visits in Italy

As Italy celebrates April 25 as "Liberation Day," the Holy See Press Office published several programmes of Pope Leo XIV's upcoming pastoral visits to various Italian cities.

The Pope will begin the Italian tour in Pompeii and Naples on May 8, the one-year anniversary of his election as Pope.

He will start the day at the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, a pilgrimage destination for four Popes and millions of people who gather together to pray the Supplication to the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii twice a year, in May and November.

St. Bartolo Longo, whom Pope Leo canonized in October 2025, founded the Shrine and wrote the prayer that is used during this Supplication. The Pope will pray this same prayer after presiding at Mass.Pope Leo will stay for lunch in the city before heading to Naples in the afternoon, where he will meet with the clergy and religious in the Cathedral, venerate the relics of San Gennaro, and meet with people of Naples gathered in Piazza del Plebiscito.