NAPLES, April 20, 2026 – Pope Leo XIV will visit Naples on May 8th, a date that coincides with the first anniversary of his election. The Pontiff will spend the morning in Pompeii to recite the supplication to the Madonna before heading to Naples, where 30,000 faithful are expected to greet him in Piazza del Plebiscito.
Pope’s Visit: A Pilgrimage of Peace Amidst Contradictions
Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples, emphasized the significance of the Pope’s choice to visit Naples for his anniversary. “By choosing Naples for his first anniversary, the Holy Father does not come to celebrate an institution, but comes to be a pilgrim among our contradictions, between the beauty that enchants and the wounds that still bleed. Naples is a city that knows how to be a port and a refuge, but it is also a land that cries out for its ancient and new poverties. Welcoming the Pope means, for us, renewing our commitment not to look away from the distress of our young people and the loneliness of the last,” said Cardinal Battaglia, reiterating that the Pope will be a “pilgrim of peace.”
The program for the Pope’s visit was presented during a press conference by Cardinal Battaglia, alongside Roberto Fico, President of the Campania Regional Council; Michele di Bari, Prefect of Naples; Mayor Gaetano Manfredi; and Auxiliary Bishop of Naples, Franco Beneduce, who coordinates the visit’s organizing committee.
Detailed Schedule of the Papal Visit
Pope Leo XIV will spend the morning in Pompeii. After lunch at 3:30 PM in the Marian city, he will arrive by helicopter at Rotonda Diaz in Naples and proceed to the Cathedral for a private meeting with clergy, religious, and deacons. A large group of children will welcome him on the Cathedral square.
Subsequently, the Pope will move to Piazza del Plebiscito for an embrace with the city. Among the faithful, 1,000 young people representing the diocesan parishes will be present. The program includes testimonies from these young people, guided by Chiara del Gaudio and Andrea Sarubbi, followed by a performance by Maestro Carlo Morelli’s Choir and young people from the Diocesan Youth and Vocational Pastoral. The Pope will then deliver his address.
The visit will conclude with an act of entrustment to the Virgin Mary before the revered image of the Immaculate by Don Placido Baccher, which will be brought to the square for the second centenary of its Coronation. The meeting will end with the apostolic blessing, after which the Pope will depart for Rome from Rotonda Diaz.
Naples Mayor and Regional President Emphasize Significance
Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi highlighted the privilege of hosting the Pope. “Having the Pope in Naples is a great privilege for the city. In this difficult time of war and suffering, hosting the Holy Father’s visit, who has so strongly raised the voice of peace and brotherhood worldwide, is an extremely strong message. And for this to happen in Naples, which has always been and will be a city of welcome and encounter, has an even higher value because it unites the voice of our community and the Pope to ask for peace, justice, equality, and rights for all,” said Manfredi. He added that the visit on such a special day, the first anniversary of his pontificate, is a sign of closeness from the Pope and the Holy See to the city, filling them with pride and emotion.
Roberto Fico, President of the Campania Region, expressed the region’s support: “We are happy, as a secular institution of the Region, to accompany the arrival of Pope Leo here in Campania, and we are happy that for his first year of Pontificate he has chosen our city and our region. We will do our utmost to ensure that everything goes well, and we will support the organization in every way. We hope that everything will go well, and I am sure it will.”
Historical Context of Papal Visits to Naples
From Pius IX to Leo XIV, there is a deep connection between pontiffs and the city of Naples. Pius IX was the first modern Pope to stay for an extended period in the Neapolitan territory, finding refuge in Gaeta and then in the Royal Palace of Portici after fleeing Rome in 1848. Saint John Paul II had the closest relationship with Naples, with visits in 1979 and a lengthy pastoral visit from November 9 to 13, 1990, which is remembered as a turning point for the city. His message to “Organize hope” resonated deeply with the community. Benedict XVI visited on October 21, 2007, for the XXI International Meeting on Religions, and Francis visited twice, in March 2015 and June 2019, notably speaking out against the Camorra and corruption.
Now, Naples prepares to welcome Pope Leo XIV, continuing this rich history of papal visits.
Source: https://www.ansa.it/campania/notizie/2026/04/20/il-papa-a-napoli-l8-maggio-sara-pellegrino-di-pace_e85190ab-3c87-415e-878f-803f9552f6ed.html
