Pope Prays at Santa Maria Maggiore - © PHOTO.VA - OSSERVATORE ROMANO

Pope Prays at Santa Maria Maggiore Before Departing for Sweden

Francis Travels to Rome’s Marian Basilica to Pray for Mary’s Protection for His 17th Apostolic Visit Abroad to Commemorate the Reformation, Visit Nation’s Catholics

octubre 31, 2016 10:32Deborah Castellano LubovMeetings

Saturday evening, Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray for the success of his 17th Apostolic Visit abroad to the Scandinavian nation of Sweden, Oct. 31-Nov.1.
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 the Holy See Press Office, 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 in the country today and tomorrow.

octubre 31, 2016 10:32Meetings

Deborah Castellano Lubov

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Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/