On Friday, May 8th, Pope Leo XIV will visit the cities of Naples and Pompeii for the first time, touching upon the most deeply felt and deeply felt sites of Neapolitan religiosity and tradition. It will be a day filled with moments of faith, sharing, and even a certain historic significance, given the significance of this significant visit, taking place on such a momentous day for the Church, the people of Campania, and Pope Leo XIV himself.

Why May 8th?

May 8th marks the first anniversary of Leo XIV's papal election. Exactly one year ago, in fact, with deep emotion and aware of the arduous task the Conclave had entrusted to him, Prevost greeted the ecclesial family with the evangelical invitation to peace, confirmed by his constant stance against today's ongoing conflicts and genocides. This circumstance makes the Pope's visit to the two key cities of Campania even more significant: Leo XIV chose to spend such an important day in a land so rich in ardent faith and tradition.

May 8th is also a particularly heartfelt day for devotees. In Pompeii, the heart of Campanian worship, the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii is recited, an extraordinary act of entrustment of the ecclesiastical community to the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary. The supplication, written by Saint Bartolo Longo, is recited only twice a year: on May 8th and on the first Sunday in October. May 8th, in fact, commemorates the coronation of the effigy of the Blessed Virgin, and thousands of faithful around the world unite in spirit as one great family who, at noon sharp, recite the same prayer as a universal act of entrustment.

This year, May 8th also takes on a different meaning. This is the first time the supplication has been recited since the canonization of Bartolo Longo, founder of the Shrine and the first great devotee of the Blessed Virgin. Almost as if continuing a long process of interaction, it was Pope Leo XIV himself who raised the lay saint of Pompeii to the highest honors of the altars on October 19, 2025.

The Program

Pope Leo XIV's visit to Naples and Pompeii will be particularly complex and rich. The centerpiece of the visit will certainly be the Shrine of Pompeii.

At 8:50 a.m., the pontiff will arrive in Pompeii by helicopter. After greeting the ecclesiastical and civil authorities present, he will travel in an open-top car to the central Piazza Bartolo Longo, not before greeting the needy assisted by the Shrine. Then, after a brief stop among the faithful, he will head to the Chapel of San Bartolo Longo, where he will venerate the remains of the saint. The Solemn Eucharistic Celebration is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., culminating in the recitation of the Supplication at 12 noon.

After lunch, Pope Leo XIV will begin his pastoral visit to the city of Naples. Arriving by helicopter at 3:00 p.m., the pontiff will head to the Cathedral, again in an open-top car, to greet the faithful along the way. Upon arriving at the Cathedral at 3:45 p.m., the Pope will first offer a personal prayer in the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, before proceeding through the central nave to the High Altar, where the bust of San Gennaro and the vials of blood will be displayed. Then, after an initial pastoral address, the Pope will be transferred to Piazza del Plebiscito, where the entire Neapolitan community will be able to welcome and bid farewell to the pontiff. The visit is scheduled to conclude at 6:30 p.m.

A city mobilizies

The arrival of Pope Leo XIV has mobilized the entire city of Naples, given the exceptional nature of the event and the symbolic and religious significance of such a moment. Approximately 30,000 faithful from the city, the archdiocese, and the entire region are expected to attend. 20,000 places have already been reserved in Piazza del Plebiscito. Given the route the Pope will take and taking into account the significant movement of citizens, several measures have already been put in place to preserve the logistical and civil organization of the entire city.

The city center's main roads, which will be crossed by the Pope himself, have been blocked, and the number of subway stops where the Pope will be stopping has been reduced (or closed). All schools in the city have also been closed, as have the universities. Thousands of police, military, health workers, and firefighters have been mobilized to ensure the full safety of the visit, and there has also been and will be great collaboration among the mayors of neighboring cities; a sign of an entire region rejoicing in the Holy Father's visit.

What is mobilized, however, is above all the spirit of the Neapolitans. The city, in fact, has always welcomed the Pontiffs with the color, cheerfulness, and affection that have always distinguished its inhabitants. Thousands of citizens are expected to be Even along the route that will lead the Pope to his resting places. And who knows, there might even be moments of playful hilarity! How can we forget the pizza chef who, on Via Caracciolo, donated a Margherita pizza to Pope Francis? How can we forget the joyful and festive welcome from the cloistered nuns, specially provided for the occasion, and proverbially admonished by the then Cardinal of Naples, Crescenzio Sepe.

The visit of Pope Leo XIV will, therefore, be a great celebration that will bring so much to the people of Naples and so much to the Holy Father!