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During procession on Lake Albano, Pope entrusts wounded children to Mary
Pope Leo XIV arrived by boat at Giorgio’s Beach on Lake Albano, where a Marian procession that began at the Church of Mary Most Holy of the Lake came to an end. The Pope, travelling aboard the Falco, which was decorated 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 Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV concluded the Marian procession with a prayer of supplication for a world marked by war, suffering and division.
The procession began at the Church of Mary Most Holy of the Lake and continued to the lakeshore, where the Pope prayed with the faithful gathered there. The scene recalled the crowds who gathered around Jesus on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
The Pope entrusted the Church and the peoples of the world to Mary, whom he described as “a woman of listening and service.” Addressing her “with a filial heart,” he prayed for a Church that is “courageous in proclaiming the Gospel, humble in service and persevering in charity.”
“To your loving protection,” Pope Leo reassured, £we entrust all the peoples of the earth: look with kindness upon your children wounded by war and encourage in everyone the desire for peace.”
Promoting justice and dignity
Pope Leo then prayed for those who are suffering and for those who have a responsibility to care for others.
“Where hatred grows, teach us forgiveness; where fear prevails, restore hope,” he prayed.
The Holy Father asked Mary to look with particular care upon “children, the elderly, the sick, families, young people and all those who live in loneliness.”
Pope Leo XIV (@Vatican Media)
“Support,” he said, “those who have responsibility in public life, so that they may always promote justice, freedom, the dignity of every 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 person, looking to You,” he prayed, “rediscover the path that leads to Christ, the one Savior of the world. He lives and reigns forever and ever.”
A time of prayer
Before the Pope’s arrival, Salesian novices led the faithful in prayer and song as they waited on the lakeshore. They sang hymns, including Eccomi, and read passages from the Gospel, interspersed with moments of meditation and prayer.
People gathered along the shore, on beach loungers and pedal boats, waiting to see the Pope. Many recorded the moment on their phones.
Pope Leo is the first Pope to take part in the procession of Our Lady of the Lake. Despite the large number of people present, the atmosphere remained quiet and prayerful.
The Pope arrives by boat
The Pope crossed the lake aboard the Falco together with the statue of the Virgin Mary. The journey took about 25 minutes and was accompanied by canoes carrying young people who had taken part in the Castel Gandolfo championships, as well as dragon boats and other vessels.
Pope Leo stepped ashore to applause while tenor Aurelio Grimaldi and his wife, Elena Kovalova, performed La Vergine degli angeli from Verdi’s La forza del destino, followed by César Franck’s Panis Angelicus. They were accompanied on the piano by Maestro Massimiliano Franchina.
The faithful, local authorities and mayors wearing the Italian tricolor sash listened to the Pope’s prayer in silence.
“Long live the Pope!” pilgrims called out as he concluded. A long applause followed, before the Castel Gandolfo marching band began to play. The band is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its foundation this year.
As evening fell, the Pope left the lakeshore and made his way to the car waiting for him. The procession had come to an end, with the faithful having gathered in prayer before the statue of Mary.
Lake Castel Gandolfo was gradually covered in darkness as the people of the town took home the memory of an evening of prayer for peace.
Marian procession on Lake Albano (@VATICAN MEDIA)
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