Friday, March 29, Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray for the success of his 28th Apostolic Visit abroad to the North African country of Morocco, March 30-31, 2019, reported Director ‘ad interim’ of the Holy See Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti, on his Twitter.
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 over the weekend.
Pope Prays at Santa Maria Maggiore - © PHOTO.VA - OSSERVATORE ROMANO
Pope Prays at Santa Maria Maggiore Before Departing for Morocco
Francis Travels to Rome’s Marian Basilica to Pray for Mary’s Protection for His 28th Apostolic Visit Abroad, and Third Visit to Africa