Skip to content

Pilgrimage to Pompeii: The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary

The Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Italy. Located at the foot of the volcano Vesuvius, its beauty and spiritual significance attract more than 3 million pilgrims each year. They come from all over the world to meet the Virgin Mary and Her Son by praying the Rosary.

The Rosary: A Prayer Based on the Gospel

Speaking about the Rosary, Archbishop Tommaso Caputo, Archbishop of Pompeii, explains, “It is a prayer rooted in the Gospel, in the Word of God. It is entirely composed of the Word of God: the Our Father, the Hail Mary, which includes part of the Angel’s announcement and the words of Elizabeth. Then there is the doxology, the Gloria. Every ten Hail Marys we contemplate a different passage from the Gospel.”

The Shrine of Pompeii was founded by Bartolo Longo in the late 19th century. Originally a Satanic priest, Bartolo abandoned his previous path and embraced the Virgin Mary and the Rosary through the guidance of a Dominican priest. With the support of Countess Mariana di Fusco, he began to restore the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and established a confraternity of the Rosary.

A Place of Conversion and Pilgrimage for the Saints

Loredana Ciancio of Pompeii Catholic Action shares, “Pompeii is also a place of deep spiritual conversion. Many holy pilgrims have visited Pompeii. Think of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patroness of migrants, who came here, as did St. Maximilian Kolbe and the soon-to-be canonized Blessed Charles Acutis.” Over the years, several popes have made pilgrimages to this holy place, including Pope Benedict XVI, who offered a golden rose in 2008, and Pope Francis, who donated a golden rosary in 2015.

Bartolo Longo: A Legacy of Marian Devotion

Following in their footsteps, millions of faithful travel to Pompeii, praying at the feet of Our Lady of the Rosary and hoping for the canonization of Bartolo Longo. Declared blessed by Pope St. John Paul II in 1980, Longo is honored indirectly by many churches dedicated to Our Lady of Pompeii around the world. Msgr. Caputo notes, “Now, Bartolo Longo is known all over the world, as there are many churches dedicated to Our Lady of Pompeii in America, Asia, Europe, and even in Africa and the Middle East – and indirectly, these churches also honor Bartolo Longo.”

The Shrine of Pompeii remains an essential symbol of Marian devotion, where many seek spiritual comfort, healing and inspiration. Pilgrims are encouraged to recite the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii, a powerful prayer composed by Bartolo Longo that invokes Mary’s intercession in a special way.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, champion of interreligious dialogue, dies at 72

Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, a Spanish-born prelate and prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, died Monday aged 72 after a long illness.

Pope Francis donates relic of the true cross for King Charles’ coronation

A fragment on the true cross on which Jesus was condemned to death.

Maintaining the Christian Presence in the Holy Land

The plight of Christians in the Middle East is deeply concerning. Tasked with upholding the Christian presence in

Discovering Vocations: Insights from Roman Nights Panelists

Join us as we delve into the topic of vocations with panelists from the Roman Nights event hosted

Pope Francis: Humility ‘is the source of peace in the world and in the Church’

Pope Francis on Wednesday closed his catechetical series on vices and virtues with a review of humility, a virtue that forms the “the base of Christian life” and is a source of peace for the Church and the world.

Lent at the Vatican: Exploring the Traditions

Join us on a journey through the Rome’s and Vatican’s centuries-old Lenten tradition of visiting a different station

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it