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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV visits Pompei and Naples in Italy

Pope Leo XIV is presented with a personalized Neapolitan pizza in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is presented with a personalized Neapolitan pizza in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

The Holy Father marked the first anniversary of his pontificate on May 8 by visiting the historic cities in southern Italy.

Pope Leo XIV on May 8 visited the historic Italian cities of Pompei and Naples, meeting with local citizens and clergy and celebrating Mass on the first anniversary of his election to the papacy. 

The Holy Father visited the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei and met with the public before concelebrating the Eucharist in the Piazza Bartolo Longo.

Later, in Naples, he met with clergy and visited the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary.

Here is a look in photos of Pope Leo XIVʼs activities in Pompei and Naples as he marked one year as pope:

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A banner greets Pope Leo XIV as he arrives in the Italian city of Pompei on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

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Pope Leo XIV deboards the papal helicopter as he arrives in the Italian city of Pompei on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

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Pope Leo XIV greets crowds in Pompei, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV greets crowds at the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV kisses a cross at the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV greets crowds at the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV greets a child at the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV concelebrates Mass in Piazza Bartolo Longo in the Italian city of Pompei, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

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Pope Leo XIV concelebrates Mass in Piazza Bartolo Longo in the Italian city of Pompei on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

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Pope Leo XIV prays at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV speaks to Catholics at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV greets crowds at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds in the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV greets crowds in the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV greets crowds in the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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Pope Leo XIV smiles while visiting the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Italy, on Friday, May 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

This article was originally published by EWTN News English.

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