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Pope Leo XIV presided over First Vespers on Monday evening in honour of the patronal feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii at the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario, adjacent to the Domus Australia in Rome.
The liturgy brought together members of the Australian community, residents of the Domus and numerous pilgrims for a moment of prayer and devotion led by the Holy Father, who wore a newly commissioned cream and blue cope for the occasion.
The celebration marked the blessing of the restored effigy of the Virgin Mary, a venerated image originally gifted to the church in 1883 by Blessed Bartolo Longo, founder of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and tireless promoter of the Rosary.
The Pope paused before the image in silent prayer before beginning the liturgy, which was accompanied by choral music performed by seminarians from the English College and the Domus choir.
In his homily, Pope Leo reflected on the virtue of hope, the central theme of the current Jubilee Year, inviting the faithful to rediscover its meaning through the example of Mary.
“Mary embodied hope through her trust that God would fulfil His promises,” the Pope said. “This hope gave her the strength and courage to give her life for the Gospel, abandoning herself completely to divine will.”
He reminded those present that “God never delays”, urging patience and perseverance in trusting His providence.
Drawing on the writings of St Augustine, the pontiff added that God’s gift of salvation requires human cooperation.
“God created us without us, but He will not save us without us,” Leo said. The Pope also noted that the Incarnation took place “first in Mary’s heart, before it did in her womb”, a reminder of the quiet fidelity that marks true discipleship.
Among those attending were Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, Grand Master Emeritus of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre; Cardinal Raymond Burke, Patron Emeritus of the Order of Malta; and Cardinal Willem Eijk, Archbishop of Utrecht.
The congregation, made up of clergy, religious and lay faithful, responded warmly to the Pope’s words, with many Australians expressing gratitude for the Pontiff’s attention to their community in Rome.
As the celebration concluded, a brief moment of levity followed when the papal car failed to start as it was about to leave from Via Cernaia. A smiling Pope Leo calmly transferred to an escort vehicle while Vatican staff dealt with the problem, with the pontiff taking the opportunity to greet and bless those gathered outside.
The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary has long held a special place in Catholic devotion, since being instituted by Pope St Pius V in thanksgiving for the victory of Lepanto in 1571.
At the Domus Australia, it continues to serve as a reminder of the enduring link between prayer, hope and mission, a message that Pope Leo XIV once again placed at the heart of his ministry.
Photo: Pope Leo at the Vespers (credit: Vatican Media)
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