Pope Leo XIV revisited a cherished sanctuary on Monday, marking his connection to the place with a newly unveiled fresco. This artwork features him in prayer, set on an upper cornice of the basilica. The pope presented the fresco before offering a Mass with his Augustinian brothers in the Sanctuary of Our Mother of Good Counsel, located in the medieval village of Genazzano, south of Rome.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit continues the tradition of papal commemorations at this sanctuary, dating back to Pope Urban VIII in 1630. After his election, Leo first visited the sanctuary on May 10, 2025, highlighting its significance to his Augustinian religious order. The sanctuary has been under the care of Augustinian friars for centuries and serves as a pilgrimage destination since the 15th century.
Pope Leo XIII previously acknowledged the sanctuary’s importance by elevating it to a minor basilica and expanding the nearby convent in the early 1900s. Upon his arrival on Monday, Pope Leo XIV was presented with a box of butterflies as he entered the Basilica Sanctuary of the Mother of Good Counsel.
During his homily, Pope Leo XIV recollected his visit in 2025 and shared sentiments he inscribed in the sanctuary’s guest book. At that time, he expressed his “need and profound desire” to visit the sanctuary after his election, seeking prayerful guidance from the Madonna of Good Counsel. Pope Leo XIV emphasized how her maternal wisdom and love have been central to his faith.
The Vatican activities are ramping up as summer concludes, preparing for a busy autumn filled with conferences and audiences. Pope Leo XIV is also planning a trip to France at the end of September, followed by visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November.