Pope Leo XIV returned to the Sanctuary of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, on Monday to unveil a fresco portrait of himself praying. The artwork now adorns an upper cornice of the basilica as a permanent commemoration of his devotion to the site. The pope, who visited the sanctuary on May 10, 2025, just two days after his election, celebrated Mass there with his fellow Augustinian brothers.
The newly unveiled portrait places Leo among a select group of pontiffs whose visits to the sanctuary have been memorialized through portraiture on its walls. Pope Urban VIII is among the earlier popes whose images adorn the basilica, with his portrait dating to 1630. The sanctuary itself has held significance as a pilgrimage destination since the 15th century and is managed by Augustinian friars, the religious order to which Leo belonged before becoming pope.
During his first visit to the sanctuary as pope in May, Leo had written in the guest book about feeling a “need and profound desire” to pray before the Madonna of Good Counsel following his election. He described the connection as lifelong, stating the figure “has accompanied me all my life with her maternal presence, with her wisdom and example of love for her son.” Monday’s visit and Mass coincided with the feast day commemorating the birth of Mary.
The Vatican is resuming its typical autumn schedule of conferences and audiences following the summer period. Leo is scheduled to travel to France later in the month and has planned a trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru for November.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI