The Pope: I urge visiting a Marian shrine to venerate our heavenly Mother

The Holy Father’s words after the Marian Prayer

© Vatican Media

After the Angelus on the feast of the Assumption of Mary, the Pope asked that we continue to invoke Our Lady’s intercession for God to grant peace to the world, and pray in particular for the Ukrainian people.

The following are the Pope’s words after the Angelus prayer, provided by the Holy See Press Office:

After the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:

Dear brothers and sisters,

I greet you all, Romans and pilgrims from various countries: families, parish groups, associations. In particular, I greet the young people of the diocese of Verona busy in a school camp. And the young people of the Immacolata.


I wish a blessed Feast of the Assumption to those of you present here, to those who are on vacation, and also the many who cannot afford a period of relaxation, to the lonely and the sick. Let us not forget them! And I think with gratitude in these days of those who ensure indispensable services to the community. Thank you for your work for us.

And on this day dedicated to Our Lady, I urge those who have the opportunity to visit a Marian shrine to venerate our heavenly Mother. Many Romans and pilgrims go to Saint Mary Major to pray before the Salus Populi Romani. There is also the statue of the Virgin Queen of Peace, placed there by Pope Benedict XV. Let us continue to invoke the intercession of Our Lady, so that God might give the world peace, and let us pray in particular for the Ukrainian people.

A blessed Feast Day to you all! Do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your meal, and arrivederci!