In preparation for Lesbos

This evening, between 7:00 and 7:30 (Rome time), Pope Francis traveled to the Roman Basilica of St. Mary Major to pause in prayer before the icon of Our Lady, Salus Populi Romani, asking for the protection of the Mother of the Lord for his upcoming visit on Saturday to the island of Lesbos in Greece.

The Pope offered the Madonna a bouquet of blue and white roses, the colours of Greece.

Earlier today, Holy See Press Office published the complete itinerary for His Holiness' visit to the Greek island, which will take place this coming Saturday.