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

Returning From Egypt, Pope Stops at Santa Maria Maggiore

After His 18th Apostolic Visit Abroad, Francis’ 1st Stop Upon Return to Rome Is to Pray Before Mary in Marian Basilica

mayo 02, 2017 13:39Deborah Castellano LubovMeetings

Moments after landing in Rome’s Ciampino Airport Tuesday at about 8:10 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 29, 2017, Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to offer thanks for the success of his two-day Apostolic Trip to Egypt, April 28-29, for meeting with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II 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.

mayo 02, 2017 13:39Meetings

Deborah Castellano Lubov

View all articles

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/