Pope Leo XIV arrived by boat to the beach of Lake Albano, where a Marian procession that began at the Church of Mary Most Holy of the Lake had ended. The Holy Father, aboard the Falco, adorned with yellow and white flowers, joined the faithful gathered on the shore and led them in prayer to the Virgin Mary. By Benedetta Capelli – Castel Gandolfo As the sun set over Lake Albano, Pope Leo XIV concluded the Marian procession to Our Lady of the Lake with a prayer of supplication for a world marked by war, suffering and division. The procession began at the Church of María Santísima del Lago and continued to the shore of the lake, where the Pope prayed with the gathered faithful. The Holy Father entrusted the Church and the people of the world to Mary, whom he described as “a woman of listening and service.” Addressing the Blessed Mother “with a filial heart,” he prayed for a Church that is “brave in the proclamation of the Gospel, humble in service and persevering in charity.” “To your loving protection – assured Pope Leo – we entrust all the peoples of the earth: look kindly on your children wounded by war and encourage in all the desire for peace.” Watch the full procession of Our Lady of the Lake at Lake Albano Promoting justice and dignity Pope Leo then prayed for those who suffer and for those who have the responsibility to care for others. “Where hatred grows, teach us to forgive; where fear prevails, restore hope,” he prayed. The Holy Father asked Mary to look with particular attention at “children, the elderly, the sick, families, young people and all those who live in solitude.” Pope Leo XIV (@Vatican Media) “Support,” he said, “those who have responsibility in public life, so that they always promote justice, freedom, the dignity of each person and the common good.” The Pope also remembered those who live and work around the lake and those who come there in search of peace. “May each one, looking to You,” he prayed, “rediscover the path that leads to Christ, the only Savior of the world. He lives and reigns forever and ever.” A time of prayer Before the Pope’s arrival, the Salesian novices led the faithful in prayer and song as they waited by the lake. They sang hymns, including Eccomi, and read Gospel passages, interspersed with moments of meditation and prayer. People gathered along the shore, in loungers and pedal boats, waiting to see the Pope. Many of the faithful and pilgrims present recorded the moment on their phones. Pope Leo is the first Pope to participate in the procession of Our Lady of the Lake, on Lake Albano itself. Despite the large number of people present, the atmosphere remained calm and prayerful. The Pope arrives by boat The Pope crossed the lake aboard the Falco along with the statue of the Virgin Mary. The trip lasted about 25 minutes and was accompanied by canoes carrying young people who had participated in the Castel Gandolfo championships, as well as dragons and other boats. Pope Leo descended to applause as tenor Aurelio Grimaldi and his wife, Elena Kovalova, performed La Vergine degli angeli from Verdi’s La forza del destiny, followed by César Franck’s Panis Angelicus. They were accompanied on the piano by the maestro Massimiliano Franchina. The faithful, local authorities and mayors wearing the Italian tricolor sash listened in silence to the Pope’s prayer. “Long live the Pope!” The pilgrims shouted when he finished. Long applause followed, before the Castel Gandolfo brass band began to play. This year the band celebrates the tenth anniversary of its founding. As evening fell, the Pope left the shore of the lake and headed to the car that was waiting for him. The procession ended with the faithful gathered in prayer before the statue of Mary. Lake Albano was gradually covered in darkness while the inhabitants of the town took away the memory of an evening of prayer for peace. Marian procession on Lake Albano (@VATICAN MEDIA)
