From the Virgin of Caacupé to Salus Populi Romani

From the Marian Shrine of Caacupé to the Basilica of St Mary Major.
After celebrating Mass on Saturday, 11 July, Francis entrusted Paraguay to the
Immaculate Conception and then a few days later the Holy Father raised another
prayer to the Virgin Mary when he went to the Basilica of St Mary Major where
he paid tribute to her in thanksgiving for the success of his apostolic visit
in South America.

On returning from
Paraguay, Pope Francis was welcomed to Ciampino Airport on Monday, 14 July, at
1:40 pm by the Substitute of the Secretary of State, Archbishop Angelo Becciu,
and by the Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, Fr Leonardo
Sapienza. Before returning to the Vatican, the Pontiff went as usual to the
Basilica of St Mary Major where the archpriest, Cardinal Santos Abril y
Castelló was waiting for him. The Pope stopped for several minutes to pray in
front of the icon of Mary and placed a bouquet of white and yellow flowers on
the altar. Then he returned to the Domus Sanctae Marthae.