Pope Leo XIV marked the first anniversary of his election to the papacy on Friday, with a pastoral visit to the southern Italian cities of Pompeii and Naples.
At the Tempio della Carità – the “Temple of Charity” – in Pompeii, the Augustinian pope told the pastoral workers of his delight at beginning his visits “in the footsteps of Saint Bartolo Longo,” the great nineteenth century Italian revert to the faith from atheism and Satanism, whom Leo canonized in October of last year.
Longo’s story is fascinating, and signs heady, tumultuous times in Italian history when the country was unifying and the temporal power of the papacy was in retreat, and anti-clerical and irreligious sentiment was on the rise.
The Pope recalled that Longo – a native of the region – after his conversion would call the Valley of Pompeii “a place of love that warms the heart” and a “triumph of faith and charity.”
Longo became a Dominican tertiary and nourished a profound Marian devotion, which he rekindled among the people of the area during his life.
He played a pivotal role in restoring both the faith of the people in knowledge and practice and the dilapidated church that is now the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, which Leo visited later in the day.
The area in southern Italy is one plagued with poverty, organized crime, and government corruption, but also a place with abiding popular piety and deep faith in action.
“Here,” Leo said, “within the sanctuary’s works, the power of Christ’s Resurrection is experienced every day – a power that, through love, regenerates hearts for the good life of the Gospel.”
“Here,” the pontiff continued, “the ‘Temple of Charity’ and the ‘Temple of Faith’ sustain one another,” with prayer nourishing “the spirit of welcome, affection, service, and the generous commitment of so many.”
The pope mentioned among the works the educational centers, family homes, and the soup kitchen for the poor the Temple of Charity operates and sustains, the last – the soup kitchen – named after Pope Francis.
“Love works miracles that extend far beyond every human effort and expectation,” Leo said, “in the bodies of those who suffer, and even more so, in their souls.”
“Here, in the charitable works of the Shrine, the power of Christ’s Resurrection is experienced every day, regenerating hearts through love to the good life of the Gospel.”
Later, in the Bartolo Longo Square that stands before the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, Pope Leo celebrated Mass and spoke of the great convert and saint, Bartolo Longo.
“From this Sanctuary,” Leo said, noting how Saint Bartolo Longo had conceived the basilica’s façade as a monument to peace, “today, with faith, we raise our supplication.”
“Jesus has told us that prayer offered with faith can obtain anything,” Leo said, “and Saint Bartolo Longo, reflecting on the faith of Mary, describes it as ‘omnipotent by grace’.”
“Through her intercession,” the pontiff said, “may an overflowing outpouring of mercy come from the God of peace – one that touches hearts, soothes resentments and fratricidal hatreds, and enlightens those who bear special responsibilities of governance.”
Later thin the day, Leo was scheduled to visit Naples and address both clergy and religious and citizens and civic and political leaders.
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