Pope Leo XIV to Visit Pompeii, Naples and Lampedusa in 2026 Italian Pastoral Tour
Pope Leo XIV will undertake a series of pastoral visits across Italy in 2026, with stops in Pompeii, Naples, Acerra, Pavia, Assisi, Rimini and the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. The Prefecture of the Papal Household confirmed that the visits will take place between May and August, marking an intense period of prayer, outreach and public engagement across several regions of the country.
The tour will begin on May 8, the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election to the papacy. On that day he will travel to Pompeii, a site closely associated with Marian devotion and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Pope had referenced the annual Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii during his first appearance after election, highlighting the significance of the Marian feast. During his return in 2026, he is expected to celebrate Mass at the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii and join pilgrims in reciting the traditional supplication prayer composed by Saint Bartolo Longo, who was canonized in 2025.
Following his time in Pompeii, the Holy Father will proceed to Naples. There he will meet clergy and religious leaders at the city’s cathedral before addressing citizens in the historic Piazza del Plebiscito. The visit to Naples reflects the Vatican’s continued pastoral attention to southern Italy, a region marked by both strong religious traditions and persistent social challenges.
Later in May, Pope Leo will visit Acerra, located in the area commonly referred to as the Land of Fires. The region has faced decades of environmental degradation due to illegal toxic waste disposal and burning practices. By traveling to Acerra, the Pope is expected to renew the Church’s call for environmental responsibility and solidarity with affected communities, themes that have shaped recent papal teaching on ecological justice.
On June 20, the Pope will journey to Pavia, where the remains of Saint Augustine are preserved in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro. Having frequently described himself as a son of Saint Augustine, Pope Leo’s visit underscores his theological roots and the enduring influence of Augustinian spirituality within his pontificate.
In July, attention will turn to Lampedusa, the island that became a global symbol of the migrant crisis following Pope Francis’ historic visit in 2013. By returning to Lampedusa, Pope Leo XIV signals continuity in the Church’s pastoral outreach to migrants and refugees arriving in Europe. The visit is expected to include moments of prayer and encounters with migrants and those who assist them.
The summer schedule will also include Assisi on August 6 for commemorations connected to Saint Francis, as well as participation in the Meeting for Friendship among Peoples in Rimini, where the Pope will celebrate Mass and engage with lay faithful from across Italy.
