In a surprising public appearance, Pope Leo XIV chose a site deeply cherished by Albanians—the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, near Rome—for a moment of prayer and connection. Arriving at approximately 4:00 PM this afternoon, the Pope made his way to the sanctuary that holds a special place in the hearts of many, particularly within the Albanian Catholic community.
This sacred church is home to the revered image of Our Lady of Shkodra, believed to have miraculously traveled from Shkodra, Albania, to Italy to escape the Ottoman invasion. The Augustinian order, to which Pope Leo XIV himself belongs, built the church to house the image and has maintained it as a site of pilgrimage ever since.
Each year, Albanians from around the globe journey to this shrine, especially on the last Sunday of May, when a solemn Mass is held. This year, on May 25, the celebration will be led by Bishop Gjergj Meta, head of the Albanian Episcopal Conference, according to Vatican News.
The devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel extends deep into Church history. Pope Leo XIII, a predecessor and namesake of the current Pontiff, held a strong devotion to the image and elevated the church to the status of a minor basilica in 1903. Over the decades, other Popes have followed in reverence: Pope John XXIII visited in 1959, and Pope John Paul II in 1993, just before his historic journey to Albania, during which he sent a copy of the image back to Shkodra.
Today’s visit by Pope Leo XIV echoes his earlier pilgrimage to Genazzano as Cardinal, on April 25, 2024, when he celebrated the Feast of the “Arrival” of the Madonna. During that occasion, he emphasized Marian devotion and called for peace and reconciliation worldwide.
The Pope arrived this afternoon humbly, seated in the front of a modest Volkswagen vehicle. He was greeted warmly by crowds who applauded and cheered, with local residents watching from balconies as he entered the shrine.
Inside the church, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful, then paused in silent prayer before the altar and the sacred image of Our Lady. Joined by all present, he recited the special prayer composed by Pope John Paul II to the Mother of Good Counsel.
Following the prayer, the Pope addressed both those within the church and the many gathered outside, sharing that he wished to begin his mission as the Successor of Saint Peter in this place of deep significance. He recalled his prior visit as the Superior General of the Augustinian order and reaffirmed his belief in Our Lady as a “companion on the journey, a light, and a source of wisdom.”
Quoting Mary’s words at the Wedding at Cana from the Gospel of John, the Pope concluded with a powerful exhortation: “Do whatever He tells you.”
The visit concluded with a private meeting between the Pope and the Augustinian community in a hall within the sanctuary—closing a deeply spiritual and symbolic moment for the Pope and the global Albanian Catholic faithful.
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