Accession of Pope Leo XIV

There are definite signs from both the words and actions of Pope Leo XIV so far that his pontificate will have a distinctly Marian aspect:

   • First Public Prayer as Pope: Immediately after his election, Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to pray a Hail Mary with him during his first public appearance, connecting his new ministry to the intercession of Mary and explicitly invoking her protection and guidance for his mission and for the Church.

  • First Trip Outside the Vatican: Less than 48 hours after his election, Pope Leo XIV’s very first journey was to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, a Marian sanctuary beloved by the Augustinians and historically significant for papal devotion to Mary. There, he prayed before the ancient image of the Virgin, recited St. John Paul II’s prayer to the Mother of Good Counsel with those present, and concluded with a Hail Mary and the Salve Regina.

  • Entrusting His Pontificate to Mary: During his address at Genazzano, Pope Leo XIV stated, “I wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new ministry that the Church has entrusted to me,” and reiterated his “trust in the Mother of Good Counsel,” quoting Mary’s words from the Wedding at Cana: “Whatever He tells you, do it.” He encouraged the faithful to be inspired by Mary’s example and to remain faithful to her.

  • Visit to St. Mary Major: On his way back from Genazzano, Pope Leo XIV stopped at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, the most important Marian church in the city. There, he prayed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani, "The Salvation of the Roman People," again highlighting his Marian devotion.

  • Consistent Marian Devotion as Cardinal: Even before his election, as Cardinal, he celebrated Mass at the Genazzano shrine and used his homily to urge the faithful to look to Mary for inspiration in spreading peace and reconciliation.

In short, Pope Leo XIV’s early actions and words - beginning with his first public prayer, his immediate pilgrimage to Marian shrines, and his explicit entrustment of his mission to Our Lady - demonstrate a clear Marian emphasis that is likely to shape his pontificate.

We all need to pray that Pope Leo will lead the Church under the guidance of Jesus and Mary and that they will protect him from all harm.

Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

O God, who in your providential design willed that your Church be built upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles, look with favour, we pray, on Leo our Pope and grant that he, whom you have made Peter’s successor, may be for your people a visible source and foundation of unity in faith and of communion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV consecrated to Our Lady

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV was evoked on several occasions during this May 12-13 Pilgrimage to Fatima. The most significant reference was the act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV that D. José Ornelas made, in the presence of the Portuguese episcopate, before the Image of the Virgin of Fatima, at the end of the Mass of this 13th.

"We are at your feet, the Bishops of Portugal and this multitude of pilgrims, on the 108th anniversary of your Apparition to the Little Shepherds, in this Cova da Iria, to consecrate to you the ministry of the current successor of Peter and Bishop of Rome, the Holy Father Leo XIV", he began by saying, in the introduction to the jubilee prayer of consecration, where he asked the Mother of God for tenderness, discernment, courage and the ability to, inspired by the Message of Fatima, "continue to launch to the world the urgent cry for peace", as he did in the first words he addressed in Rome after his election.

The introduction to prayer also highlighted the importance that the Successor of Peter has in the Message of Fatima and evoked the visit of the last four Popes to Fatima, specifically the last presence of Pope Francis and the appeal he left here for a Church open to all.

The International Anniversary Mass on May 13 was concelebrated by 27 bishops, including two cardinals – Cardinal D. António Marto, bishop emeritus of Leiria-Fatima, and Cardinal D. Fortunato Frezza, canon of St. Peter's Basilica – and 282 priests. Also present at the altar were 14 deacons.