The Pope contemplates 'the sweet face of Mary': Leo XIV's first visit outside Rome is to the Augustinian Sanctuary of Genazzano

On May 10, just two days after being elected the new Bishop of Rome, the Holy Father León XIV visited, as he had done when he was elected Prior General and created cardinal, the sanctuary of Our Mother of Good Counsel in the small Italian town of Genazzano.

The surprise for the 5,000 inhabitants of this town devoted to the Virgin Mary was immense, as it was an unplanned and completely unexpected encounter. At least up to a certain point, because by the time the car transporting the Pope arrived near the sanctuary, a crowd of faithful was already waiting to give him a warm welcome.

Once again, as some of his predecessors had done, a Pope came to kneel at the feet of the gentle Mother of God, also popularly known as “the Virgin of Tenderness.”

According to Vatican sources, «the Pope entered the church, greeted the religious, and paused in prayer—first before the tabernacle and then before the image of the Virgin, where he prayed with those present the prayer of Saint John Paul II to the Mother of Good Counsel, an Ave Maria, and a Salve Regina.»

“I have so deeply wished to come here in these first days of the new ministry that the Church has entrusted to me!” he declared inside the sanctuary, as reported by Vatican media. He recalled that he had already visited the site after being elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, with the decision to «offer his life to the Church.» He also explained that he has great «trust» in this devotion to the «Mother of Good Counsel» for the «light and wisdom» contained in the words that the Gospel of John attributes to Mary at the Wedding at Cana, when she advises the servants: «Do whatever He tells you.»

The Gaze of a Father: “A Look Full of Love”

“This encounter with the successor of Peter was truly impressive,” shared one of the locals who had gathered at the basilica’s portico when he suddenly realized the Pope was with them. “His presence made us happy, conveying warmth and closeness.”

“It is a blessing that our dear Holy Father decided to come to the house of our mother. For a Genazzanese, the Virgin Mary is engraved on the heart. We are all children of Mary,” explained, through tears, one of the friends of the community of Augustinian friars in Genazzano.

“The streets were packed with people. Genazzano was full of those who had rushed out to meet him. Some stepped out in pajamas or threw on whatever they could find. It was clear that he wanted to be seen, to meet the people, to be with them—all of them. My mother-in-law, when the Holy Father passed in front of her house, asked for his blessing, and he granted it. Everyone wanted to shake his hand. It was a beautiful moment.”

“He radiates simplicity and sensitivity. His gaze is that of a father. What stays with me is his gaze. He looked at me, he smiled… A gaze full of love.”

In this brief but intense visit—filled with symbolism at the start of his papacy—Pope Leo XIV was able to be with the townspeople, feel their affection and support in these early steps of his pontificate, and later spend time with the Augustinian community who care for the image of the Virgin with the Child. They were joined by the Prior General and other religious leaders before the Pope returned to Rome, where in the afternoon, he would visit the tomb of Pope Francis.