Pope Leo Makes Private Pilgrimage to Pope Francis‘ Tomb
VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo visited the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis, at the Basilica of St. mary Major on May 10th and again on June 22nd, offering prayers and floral tributes. the private visits, occurring shortly after Pope Leo’s election and during a major liturgical procession, underscore a spiritual connection to the legacy of the late pontiff.
The pilgrimages to Pope Francis’ final resting place reflect a continuation of Pope Leo’s expressed reverence for his predecessor and a public acknowledgement of the profound impact Pope Francis had on the Catholic Church. These acts of devotion, witnessed by a growing number of faithful and pilgrims who visit the tomb daily, provide a visible link between the current papacy and the recent past, signaling continuity and remembrance within the Church’s leadership.
On may 10th,just two days after assuming the papacy,Pope Leo made his first visit to the tomb. He laid flowers and spent several moments in silent prayer. He repeated the gesture on June 22nd, following the procession marking the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, which traveled from St. John Lateran to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
During a subsequent reflection, Pope Leo noted that the hope embodied by Pope Francis – a hope he also shared with other prelates who recently passed away – was one “lived, witnessed, and taught.” The visits to the tomb serve as a poignant reminder of this shared faith and commitment to the Church’s mission.