This afternoon, upon returning from Marseille (France), following his custom at the conclusion of each apostolic journey, Pope Francis arrived at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome to thank the Virgin for her protection.
Upon arrival, the Holy Father took a moment to pray in the presence of the image of the Virgin Mary, known as the Salus Populi Romani (the Salvation of the Roman People), venerated as the protector of Rome. Subsequently, he undertook his return to the Vatican.
Pope Francis visits the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, one of the four papal basilicas, before and after each apostolic journey as part of a tradition and a gesture of deep devotion.
The Pontiff landed at Rome-Fiumicino airport on the night of September 23 at 8:37 pm (local time).
The apostolic trip was carried out on the occasion of the closing of the “Mediterranean Meetings”, an event that brought together bishops from 29 countries and young people from the Mediterranean to debate the challenges of the Mediterranean basin, challenges of all the surrounding Catholic dioceses.
Pope Francis at a press conference on the plane upon returning from Marseille.
The Pope condemns euthanasia and abortion upon returning from France: “You don’t play with life”
At the press conference on the flight that took him back to Rome from Marseille (France), Pope Francis made a clear condemnation of euthanasia and abortion, and warned that “life cannot be played with, neither at the beginning nor in the end”.