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Vatican City – This afternoon, Pope Leo XIV made a deeply meaningful visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, entrusted to the Augustinians, the very order to which he has belonged since his youth. In an atmosphere of recollection and profound emotion, the Pontiff was welcomed by the Superior of the community, the parish priest, and shortly afterwards, by His Most Reverend Excellency Monsignor Mauro Parmeggiani, Bishop of Palestrina and Tivoli.

Upon entering the shrine, Leo XIV paused in silent prayer before the miraculous image of Our Lady of Good Counsel, uttering the same words St John Paul II once addressed to Mary during one of his pilgrimages—words that embody the supplication of the entire Christian people and the entrustment to She who, with wisdom and tenderness, accompanies the journey of the Church.

The Pope’s moment of prayer continued at the tomb of Blessed Stefano Bellesini O.S.A., whose mortal remains are preserved in the heart of the shrine. A parish priest, educator, Augustinian, and tireless servant of the poor, Bellesiniwas the first parish priest in history to be beatified.






Blessed Bellesini: a model for pastors and faithful

Born in Trent in 1774 into a wealthy family, Stefano Bellesini donned the Augustinian habit at just 18 years old, embarking on a lengthy period of formation between Bologna and Rome. Ordained a priest in 1797, he lived through the Napoleonic turmoil, which forced many religious into exile or inactivity. Upon returning to Trent, he opened a free school in his home for the poorest children, earning the esteem of the population and civil authorities who named him General Inspector of Schools in Trentino. Yet Fr Stefano’s heart lay elsewhere: moved by a desire to remain faithful to his religious vocation, in 1817 he left everything and took refuge in Bologna to resume convent life. In 1826, he was sent to Genazzano, where he dedicated himself heart and soul to pastoral ministry, especially to the poor and children. He died on 2 February 1840, stricken by the plague while tending to his parishioners. Beatified by St Pius X in 1904, he is commemorated on 3 February.

Just last year, celebrations began for the 250th anniversary of his birth, which will culminate this coming Novemberwith an event originally to be presided over by Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, himself an Augustinian. 

“I so dearly wished to come here…”

In the shrine, Leo XIV offered simple, moving words, brimming with his devotion to the Virgin. Mary, Mother of Good Counsel is also the patroness of the Augustinian Province of Chicago, from which he hails. Prevost said: “I so dearly wished to come here in these first days of the ministry the Church has entrusted to me… Just as I came on the first day I was appointed Prior General of the Order to offer my life to the Church. With this trust in the Mother who never abandons us… the Mother of Good Counsel who, throughout so many years of service, has always accompanied me as a light, with wisdom.” After a moment of fraternal fellowship with the Augustinian community, the Holy Father stepped out onto the square, crowded with faithful, Benedictine and Augustinian religious, and amidst applause and emotion, he spoke with warmth and familiarity to the faithful, who were overjoyed to receive him on his first visit to Italian soil. “A great emotion. For many years, I have carried you in my heart. I have come here to Genazzano many times over nearly fifty years. You have a great gift in the presence of Our Lady of Good Counsel, but that also means you bear a great responsibility. A mother never abandons her children, but the children must remain faithful to the mother…” And addressing the youth: “I greet the boys and girls, the young people. Let us always live with enthusiasm, following Jesus Christ after the beautiful example of Mary, our mother.”

With his characteristic gentleness, Leo XIV took his leave of the faithful, saying: “Unfortunately, I cannot stay longer, I must go now—but let us conclude this visit with a blessing.”

The Shrine and the Coming of the Mother

The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel has ancient origins. In the year 1356, the church—already dedicated to the Virgin Mary and a parish since the 11th century—was entrusted by the Colonna family to the Augustinians. But it was in 1467 that Genazzano witnessed its most extraordinary event. Petruccia, a pious woman and Augustinian tertiary, began the reconstruction of the old church, investing all her possessions. When resources ran out and mockery arose, she replied: “Do not worry. Before I die, the Blessed Virgin and Saint Augustine will finish this church.” On 25 April of that year, the feast of St Mark, around Vespers, an image of the Madonna mysteriously appeared on a still-unfinished wall of the church. From that moment, the site became a destination for unceasing pilgrimages. In the first few months alone, 161 miracles were recorded, and even Pope Paul II sent two bishops as official observers. A remarkable story was later told by two Albanian pilgrims, who recognised in the image the icon venerated in Shkodër, which had miraculously fled before the Ottoman invasion. From then on, Mary was also invoked as the “Lady of Albania”.

Today, as for centuries, pilgrims from all over the world continue to journey to Genazzano, which many consider a little Loreto in Lazio—a place where heaven seems to touch the earth, and where Mary continues to offer, in silence and wisdom, her good counsel to those who seek it with a sincere heart.

With a blessing for all present, Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit as a son among sons, leaving behind in Genazzano the mark of his faith, his gratitude, and his devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel, as well as his heartfelt thanks to the Augustinian community who care for the souls that visit this splendid sanctuary every day.

Fr. E.T.
Silere non possum

On the book of visits to Genezzano, His Holiness Leo XIV wrote:
"Still in the early days of my pontificate, I felt both the duty and a deep desire to draw near to Genazzano, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, who throughout my life has accompanied me with her maternal presence, with her wisdom, and with the example of her love for the Son, who is always the centre of my faith. The way, the truth, and the life. Thank you, Mother, for your help — accompany me in this new mission"

Leo PP. XIV
10 May 2025