# Pope Leo XIV makes pilgrimage to Lourdes shrine

> The pontiff kneels in prayer at the Grotto of Apparitions, entrusting France and the world to Mary's intercession.
- Title: Pope Leo XIV makes pilgrimage to Lourdes shrine · Vaticannews
- Summary: The pontiff kneels in prayer at the Grotto of Apparitions, entrusting France and the world to Mary's intercession. Pope Leo XIV visited Lourdes to pray for…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, lourdes, shrine of our lady, grotto of apparitions, pilgrimage, prayer, france, vatican, bernadette soubirous, immaculate conception, religion, world
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-09/pope-leo-pilgrim-lourdes-peace-our-lady-prayer-solemn-crowd.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-26T19:25:11.964+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, lourdes, shrine of our lady, grotto of apparitions, pilgrimage, prayer, france, vatican, bernadette soubirous, immaculate conception, religion, world
## Pope arrives at Lourdes shrine
Pope Leo the Fourteenth arrived at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to a roaring crowd of pilgrims waving flags and holding welcome signs.

> Mesdames et messieurs, le Pape est à Lourdes!
## Sacred ground of Bernadette's visions
The Sanctuary marks where young St. Bernadette Soubirous saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858, who identified herself as the Immaculate Conception.
## Pope kneels in solemn prayer
The cheering crowd fell silent as Pope Leo the Fourteenth knelt at the Grotto of the Apparitions, walked slowly around touching the walls, and lit a candle.
## Praying for France and the world
Pope Leo the Fourteenth placed France, its people, and its Church before Mary, praying for fraternal harmony, peace, and those suffering amid global tensions and divisions.
## Golden rose honors Mary's devotion
Pope Leo the Fourteenth placed a golden rose at the Grotto, a traditional papal gift symbolizing devotion to Mary, then prayed the Our Father and blessed the crowd.
## Key takeaway

Pope Leo XIV visited Lourdes to pray for peace, fraternal harmony, and those suffering amid global tensions.