Moments after landing in Rome’s Ciampino Airport Tuesday at 3:10 p.m. local time, Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to offer thanks for the success of his two-day Apostolic Trip to Sweden, Oct. 31-Nov.1, for the joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation and to visit the nation’s small Catholic community.
According to a note from the Holy See Press Office, before returning to the Vatican, after landing safely at the airport, the Pope made his usual detour to go to the Marian Basilica.
The Holy Father always venerates the icon before and after his international apostolic trips.
During his time inside, Francis prayed before the ancient image of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, in silence for several minutes.
