From The Nijasun News Desk
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, on September 7, where he will celebrate Mass on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
According to Vatican News, the Pope will celebrate Mass at the Augustinian shrine at 6 p.m. during his upcoming pastoral visit to the small town located about 40 kilometres from Rome.
The visit will be particularly significant for Pope Leo, who has maintained a longstanding personal devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel and has visited the shrine several times over the decades.
Pope Leo first visited Genazzano as a young student in Rome in the early 1980s. He later returned frequently while serving as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, and subsequently as Bishop of Chiclayo and Cardinal.
He made his first visit to the shrine as Pope on May 10, 2025, just two days after his election to the papacy. During that private visit, he prayed before the revered image of Our Lady of Good Counsel and expressed his gratitude for Mary’s maternal guidance.
In the shrine’s guest book, Pope Leo wrote that throughout his life, Our Lady of Good Counsel had accompanied him with her maternal presence, wisdom and example of love for Christ.
The Pope’s connection with the shrine is also linked to his Augustinian background. He entered the Order of Saint Augustine in the Augustinian Province of Chicago, which is itself dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel.
His devotion to the Marian shrine was also evident on the day of his election. Before appearing on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on May 8, 2025, he prayed before an image of Our Lady of Good Counsel in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
History of the Genazzano Shrine
The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano dates back centuries and has a deep connection with the Augustinian religious order.
A small church dedicated to the Virgin Mary existed on the site as early as the 13th century. In 1356, the Colonna family, then lords of the area, entrusted pastoral responsibility for the church to the Augustinian friars.
The church and adjoining convent were later rebuilt and enlarged. An Augustinian tertiary widow, Petruccia, reportedly sold her possessions to support the project despite criticism that she lacked sufficient resources to complete the work.
According to the longstanding tradition associated with the shrine, on April 25, 1467, an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on a wall of the church while construction was still underway.
The event attracted large numbers of pilgrims, while reports of miracles and graces associated with the image helped generate donations that enabled the completion of the church and convent.
Several Popes have visited the shrine over the centuries, including Urban VIII, Pius IX, John XXIII and John Paul II.
Painting of Pope Leo to be Unveiled
During Pope Leo XIV’s forthcoming visit, a painting depicting him praying before the image of Our Lady of Good Counsel will be unveiled at the shrine.
The rector of the shrine, Father Ludovico Centra, confirmed the planned unveiling while speaking to Vatican News.
The September 7 Mass will take place one day before the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, further highlighting the Marian significance of the Pope’s visit to the historic Augustinian shrine.
Tags: Pope Leo XIV, Vatican, Catholic Church, Genazzano, Our Lady of Good Counsel
