Augustinians join the Church in Pavia in preparing for the visit of Pope Leo

Bishop Corrado Sanguineti, of Pavia, Italy, has invited his Diocese to prepare for the Holy Father's visit on June 20, 2026, with a prayer he himself composed. As Augustinians we feel a special connection to Pavia and the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro, the resting place of Saint Augustine. Thus we join our voices to theirs in prayer:

PRAYER FOR THE VISIT TO PAVIA OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV

Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd,

we wish to prepare our hearts

for the gift of the Holy Father's visit.

We welcome him as the Successor of Peter,

who comes to confirm us in the faith

and to reawaken in us the passion

and courage of witness.

We ask you to bless

and accompany his steps

to our homes and our streets.

We welcome him as a son and disciple of Saint Augustine,

a great saint, a precious gift for the Church and the city of Pavia.

We welcome him as a witness to the Gospel of peace;

with him we invoke the gift of peace

for our families, our communities, and for the world.

With him, we wish to be peacemakers.

Make fruitful with goodness and grace

the ministry of our Pope Leo XIV,

his visit among us,

the word he will give us.

Help us to be ever more

a Church of living stones,

united and founded in You, the cornerstone

without whom we cannot build

a future of life and hope.

Amen.

+ Bishop Corrado Sanguineti, Bishop of Pavia