Pope Leo XIV to visit Naples and Pompeii on first anniversary of election
Pope Leo XIV will travel to southern Italy on May 8, 2026, marking the first anniversary of his election with a pastoral visit to Pompeii and Naples, where he is expected to take part in major religious celebrations and meet local communities.
The programme for the visit begins early in the morning at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei, where the Pope will be welcomed by Church representatives and civil authorities. He will then meet members of the “Temple of Charity” initiatives, engaging with staff and people supported by the Shrine’s charitable services.
As part of the day, Pope Leo XIV will travel through the streets of Pompeii in the popemobile before arriving at Piazza Bartolo Longo, where he is scheduled to preside over Mass at the shrine. The event will also include a period of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, along with personal greetings to the sick, elderly, and people with disabilities.
The programme further includes the traditional midday prayer of supplication to the Virgin of Pompeii, a long-standing devotion at the sanctuary that draws pilgrims from across Italy and beyond. Later in the day, the Pope is expected to visit Naples, where he will venerate the relics of San Gennaro, one of the city’s most important patron saints.
The visit highlights the Pope’s continued focus on pastoral outreach, charity, and devotion during a milestone moment in his pontificate.
