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POPE LEO XIV IN POMPEI: NO EARTHLY POWER WILL SAVE THE WORLD, BUT ONLY LOVE

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Pompei  ||  | 08 May 2026
Iniziative (EN) - Maison de la Paix (EN)

A delegation from the “United States of the World” and the “Fondazione Mediterraneo” took part in the celebrations for the Supplication and Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Pompei, one year after his election as Supreme Pontiff.
The Pope entrusts world peace to Our Lady: “May she quell fratricidal hatred and enlighten those who bear the responsibility of government.” Twenty thousand people embrace him. Then, speaking off the cuff:
“Here I am the first to be blessed. Our Mother is always with us. We are all called to be witnesses of Christ in society.”
“Good morning, Pompei.” Thousands of people are gathered in front of the basilica overlooking the square named after the founder of the Marian shrine: Bartolo Longo.
Leo XIV recites the Supplication at midday to the sound of bells.
“O Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, intercede for peace in the world,” he writes in his own hand, in neat handwriting, on the card he has distributed to all those present. And in his homily he adds: “Through her intercession, may the God of peace pour out an overflowing abundance of mercy, touching hearts, soothing grudges and fratricidal hatred, and enlightening those who bear special responsibilities of government”.
Facing the sick and disabled people he meets inside the sanctuary, which is entirely reserved for them, he confides: “I feel I am the first to be blessed by being here.” Words spoken once again off the cuff. Like those in which he recalls that “even today Jesus walks with us” and that “we are all called to be the presence of Christ in the world”. Or those “Marian” words in the square, which are met with a long and warm round of applause: “In Pompeii we know full well that the Mother is always with us.”