Last evening, Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray for the success of his trip to the Greek island of Lesbos tomorrow, where he will meet with refugees. The Holy Father almost always visits Rome’s Marian Basilica to pray for Mary’s protection and intercession before and after his papal trips.
According to Vatican Radio, the Pope prayed before the ancient image of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, and invoked the Virgin Mary’s protection on his travels and upon the people he will visit on the Greek Island.
He presented a bouquet of white and blue roses, which are the colors of the Greek flag.
Before last night’s stop, the Holy Father’s most recent visit to the Marian Basilica was in February, upon his return from his Apostolic Visit to Mexico.
Tomorrow morning, Pope Francis, his papal entourage, and journalists will board the Alitalia plane at about 7 a.m. local time at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and will depart shortly thereafter.
