Pope Francis prays in 2 churches to ask for an end to the pandemic. Find out the details.

 March 15, 2020 - Pope Francis left the Vatican this Sunday to go on foot to pray in two important pilgrimage sites in Rome.

 Salus Virgin Mary

Just after 4 PM the Holy Father visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, to offer a prayer to the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani. 

The Pope prayed silently in front of the Icon of the Virgin Mary for 20 minutes; the Holy Father has a great vocation for this Icon who comes to visit on the main Marian anniversaries

 

Miracolous Crucifix

After the Pope visited the church of San Marcello on the Corso, where the Miraculous Crucifix is housed. This Crucifix was the only element to save itself from a devastating fire that hit the Church in 1519. In 1522 it was carried in procession for 16 days.


Faith attributes the Crucifix to having defeated the plague epidemic that hit Rome. The procession, commissioned by Cardinal Raimondo Vich, crossed the various districts of Rome to reach the Basilica of San Pietro, all carrying the Crucifix on his shoulder.