Programmes published for Pope Leo’s visit to Naples and Pompeii

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The programmes for Pope Leo XIV’s pastoral visit to Pompeii and Naples on Friday, May 8, 2026, the first anniversary of his election, have been released.

According to the programme for Pompeii, the Holy Father will arrive at 8:50 a.m. in the meeting area of the Shrine, where he will be welcomed by Church and civil authorities.

Shortly afterwards, at 8:55 a.m., he will meet representatives of the “Temple of Charity” in the Luisa Trapani Hall, encountering both the Shrine’s charitable initiatives and those served by its various centres.

At 9:30 a.m., the Pope will travel through the city in the popemobile, arriving in Piazza Bartolo Longo at 9:45 a.m. He will then enter the Shrine for a period of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and will greet the sick, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Mass in Piazza Bartolo Longo and supplication to the Virgin of Pompeii

At 10 a.m., the Holy Father will pay homage to Saint Bartolo Longo, visiting the chapel dedicated to the Shrine’s founder and pausing in prayer before his mortal remains. He will then be greeted by bishops gathered for the occasion, while priests of the Prelature of Pompeii and the Shrine will welcome him in the Chapel of Reconciliation.

At 10:30 a.m., Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in Piazza Bartolo Longo.

Thousands of faithful are expected to take part, both in the square and in the surrounding streets, including Piazza Schettini, with large screens set up for viewing.

At noon, the traditional supplication to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii will take place.

The Pope will then have lunch before departing by helicopter at 3 p.m. for Naples, where he is scheduled to arrive at 3:15 p.m. He will be welcomed by Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, archbishop of Naples, along with civil authorities.

Naples programme focuses on San Gennaro

In Naples, Pope Leo XIV will meet the clergy and members of consecrated life of the archdiocese at the Cathedral.

According to the programme, a large group of children will gather in the Cathedral forecourt to welcome him.

Once inside, the Holy Father will first proceed privately to the Royal Chapel of the Treasury of San Gennaro for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He will then process through the central nave to the high altar, where the bust and reliquary containing the ampoules of the blood of San Gennaro will be displayed.

Pope Leo XIV will recite a prayer and deliver an address.

Afterward, the Holy Father will leave the Cathedral and proceed to Piazza del Plebiscito, where he is expected to arrive at 5:15 p.m. to greet the faithful.

Shortly thereafter, at 5:20 p.m., he will visit the Basilica to greet the community of the Minims, along with several civil and religious authorities.

Addressing the city of Naples in Piazza del Plebiscito

The final major event of the day will begin at 5:30 p.m., when Pope Leo XIV will meet the people of Naples in Piazza del Plebiscito and will address the city.

At the conclusion of the gathering, there will be an Act of Entrustment to the Virgin Mary before the venerated image of the Immaculate Conception, which will be brought into the square on the occasion of the bicentenary of its coronation, before Pope Leo imparting his Apostolic Blessing.

Pope Leo XIV will then leave Piazza del Plebiscito and travel to Rotonda Diaz, from where he will depart by helicopter at 6:45 p.m. for his return to the Vatican.