Pope Francis visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on Saturday, April 12, to pray before the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, a revered image of the Virgin Mary. This visit marked one of his latest public activities after weeks of hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia.
The Pope arrived at the basilica on the eve of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, pausing for a few minutes to pray before the icon. This visit was a significant moment of devotion for the Pope, who has been undergoing convalescence at his residence in Casa Santa Marta since his return to the Vatican on 23 March.
This visit follows the Pope’s recent appearances in public, including his participation in the Jubilee for the Sick in St. Peter’s Square on April 6 and a surprise visit to St. Peter’s Basilica on 10 April, where he prayed and met with the faithful. Despite his ongoing health challenges, Pope Francis continues to prioritize his spiritual duties and connection with the faithful.