Pope makes surprise visit to Piazza di Spagna, prays for Rome, the world
Despite rain and earlier cancellation of the visit, Francis prays at the statue of the Immaculate Conception
Pope Francis made a surprise early Tuesday morning to the statue of the Immaculate Conception in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna despite the Vatican earlier announcing that he would not make his customary visit there due to the pandemic.
"With the first light of dawn, under the rain, Pope Francis placed a bouquet of roses at the base of the column where the statue of the Madonna is, and turned to her in prayer, so that she might lovingly watch over Rome and its inhabitants, entrusting to her all in the city and the world who are afflicted by illness and discouragement,”according to a statement released to journalists by Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office.
Pope at the Basilica of St Mary Major before Marian icon "Salus Popoli Romani" (Health of the Roman People) (COPYRIGHT @vaticanmedia)
After laying flowers before the statue of the Immaculate Conception near the Spanish Steps, the pope went to Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major). He prayed in front of the famous icon of Mary "Salus Popoli Romani" and then celebrated Mass in the Chapel of the Nativity.
This was the third time that Pope Francis has gone to Santa Maria Maggiore this year and the 84th time since becoming pope. He first went there on March 14, 2013 -- the day after his election.
This year he went on March 15 at the beginning of the pandemic and then on August 5, the feast of the church's dedication. He usually visits before and after he makes a trip outside of Italy.
Pope celebrating Mass at the altar of St. Ignatius of Loyola in the basilica's Chapel of the Nativity. (COPYRIGHT @vaticanmedia)
The Marian statue next to Piazza di Spagna, sits atop a nearly 40-foot column. It was dedicated in 1857, three years after Pius IX promulgated a decree defining the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
Since 1953 popes have gone there to venerate the statue on December 8.
The Vatican had on November 30 announced that Pope Francis had decided not to go to the Piazza di Spagna in the afternoon on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, as is the usual custom. That statement said that the decision not to visit was due to the ongoing health crisis, “to avoid all risk of contagion caused by gatherings.”