Visit to St. Mary Major

The date has yet to be announced but the Pope also plans on visiting the fourth major basilica of Rome, St. Mary Major.

The Pope will go to St. Mary Major Basilica to greet the Blessed Virgin with the prayer "Ave Maria Stella." Mary's image as the salvation of the Roman people ("salus populi romani") is housed in that basilica.

After greeting the image with the words of the Gospel, Benedict XVI will pronounce for the first time a prayer of Eastern Patriarch St. Germanus of Constantinople, dedicated to the protection of the city's citizens and visitors.

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