Pope Postpones Visit to Marian Shrine

In light of his upcoming Apostolic Visit to the Holy Land, Pope Francis has postponed his visit to the Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore (Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love).

The postponement of the visit, which was scheduled for May 18th, was announced by Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office.

The visit, he said, will not take place, "in order to lighten the commitments of the Holy Father during the preparations of his imminent trip to the Holy Land. The visit has thus been postponed to a date that is yet to be determined."

The Shrine has served as a place of pilgrimage for thousands, including the Holy Fathers predecessors. St. John Paul II visited the shrine twice: on June 7, 1987 and July 4, 1999. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI visited the shrine on May 1st, 2006.