Where will you find Pope Francis the day before he departs on an apostolic journey? You will find him in the same place that was the site of his first non-official act outside of Vatican City after his election as Pope: St. Mary Major in Rome.
That visit occurred on May 14, 2019, when the Pope delivered a bouquet of flowers to the Virgin and knelt for prayer. That process was repeated May 4, 2019, as the Holy Father prepared for his apostolic journey to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, May 5-7. The Pope has made it a practice to visit the basilica before and after each of his trips, entrusting the success of his work to Mary.
