Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, on May 10, 2025. The shrine, entrusted to the Order of Saint Augustine since the 15th century, is home to a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. Pope Leo XIV greeted the people in the square, prayed before the icon, and recited the prayer of Saint John Paul II dedicated to this Marian devotion.
Several hundred people gathered in the sanctuary square to greet Pope Leo XIV with a festive welcome. The Pope entered the basilica, greeted the religious, and paused to pray before the altar and the icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel. He then addressed the faithful, expressing his eagerness to visit the shrine in the early days of his papacy.
Pope Leo XIV reiterated his trust in the Mother of Good Counsel, referring to her as a companion of “light and wisdom.” He highlighted her words at the Wedding at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you.” The Pope also recalled his previous visit to the site as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2001.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel has a rich history dating back to the 14th century. According to tradition, a widowed Augustinian tertiary named Petruccia received a revelation from the Holy Spirit to rebuild the church that would house the fresco of Our Lady of Good Counsel. The miraculous icon arrived in Genazzano on April 25, 1467, and numerous miracles were recorded in the following months.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel underscores the importance of Marian devotion in the Catholic Church. The Pope’s trust in the Mother of Good Counsel reflects his commitment to seeking guidance and wisdom in his papacy.