Like a rock star, Pope Leo XIV greets thousands of cheering people in southern Italy's Pompeii on Friday, where he is celebrating the first anniversary of his papal election.
Exactly one year earlier, on the evening of the 8. May 2025, he had commemorated the Madonna of the Rosary on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.
It is worshipped in a neo-baroque sanctuary in the city known to tourists mainly by the volcanic eruption in antiquity and the famous excavations.
But the basilica, the Bartolo Longo (1841-1926) in the 19th, on the initiative of the converted former church opponent, lawyer and in 2025 canonized Bartolo Longo (1841-1926). Built for the century, not only is a religious but also a social center.
Here, poor families, orphans, seniors, the sick and disabled receive support.
The Pope wanted to devote a lot of time to them during his three-and-a-half-hour appearance.
Intensive preparations
On the other hand, the day had already begun before sunrise for the people in the 25,000-inhabitant city and their guests. Already around 4.30 a.m., pilgrims from the surrounding area had arrived by train.
Svetlana, one of about 600 volunteers, police, security and medical workers, treats herself to a coffee in a bar next to the Piazza at just after six with her team. "It is an honor for us that the Pope will come by. After all, Pompeii is not the most significant city in the world," said the young paramedic.
Massimiliano does not want to accept this in his souvenir shop. "Pompeii not significant? It has been famous for centuries for his devotion to Mary!" according to the businessman, while draping rain capes and umbrellas for five euros in front of the shop.
Because: "It should rain around ten o'clock." He also offers a T-shirt with the Pope's counterfeit and comments: "a very smart and friendly man".
Meanwhile, in the Piazza, the people of Pompeii and the surrounding area are stationed. The children have school-free.
Roadblocks were erected the night before and mobile toilets were provided. Of countless lantern riders, the head of the church smiles under the slogan "Welcome, Pope Leo XIV."
Balloons and flowers in Vatican yellow and white decorate the place. Around 5,000 chairs are set up in the city centre in various locations. In the morning, some of them remain free at first.
After the heavy rain from the previous day and because of the cool May temperatures for southern Italy, many had probably preferred the TV broadcast to the stay outdoors. In total, 20,000 people have come, according to police data.
Bell ringing and cheering
When all the bells ring at 8.52 a.m., the tension is palpable: the Pope's helicopter has landed.
After the welcome by the local bishop and regional politician, he walks to the "Temple of Charity," next to the sanctuary.
There, the visibly moved Pope hears reports of those affected, who tell him about their fate, illness, violence and loneliness, but also of the help they experience.
Leo XIV. thanks each and every one as well as the many engaged, shakes countless hands, blesses children and shows himself approachable and well laid out during several trips in the open golf car.
Before he enters the Basilica, he, the red mozzetta above his white robe, spontaneously greets the thousands of pilgrims and refers to "la Mamma": the mother Mary, who is always with the people and accompanies them with their intercession and love.
Applause for urgent peace sermon
His words are glamingly applauded by the people, while the May sun shows itself tentatively behind the clouds.
At the ensuing Mass in front of the basilica, Leo XIV once again addresses the topic he had set immediately after his election and which characterizes him more and more: commitment to peace. People acknowledge the sermon several times with loud applause.
After the midday prayer to the Madonna of the Rosary, the Pope’s public appearance in Pompeii ends. In the afternoon, further encounters with crowds were on the program, this time in neighboring Naples.