Pope Leo XIV visited the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis, at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome on 10 May 2025. This visit came just two days after Pope Leo XIV’s election as the new head of the Catholic Church. According to Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV arrived at the basilica after a surprise visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel.
During his visit, Pope Leo XIV prayed before Pope Francis’s simple marble tomb, paying his respects to his predecessor. The Santa Maria Maggiore basilica holds significance as it is where Pope Francis was buried in accordance with his wishes, expressed in his will. The basilica is also home to the revered Marian icon of Salus Populi Romani, before which Pope Francis often prayed before and after his apostolic journeys.
This gesture reflects Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to following in Pope Francis’s footsteps, emphasizing humility and service. In a meeting with cardinals, Pope Leo XIV praised Pope Francis’s dedication to service and simplicity, vowing to uphold the Church’s priorities, including caring for the least and the rejected, and engaging in dialogue with the contemporary world.