After bronchitis, Pope Francis steps out to pray before Romans’ ancient patron saint

Rome. – he pope francisco Went to the Roman Cathedral today mayor of santa maria Pray before the icon of the Virgin and Child, patron of the Romans, and award him with the “Golden Rose”, a recognition that has been bestowed by popes for centuries.

This is the first time the pope has left the Vatican. bronchitis His diagnosis on November 25 forced him to change his agenda and even suspend his planned trip to attend the climate summit on December 1. Dubai.

Francisco, who will celebrate his 87th birthday on December 17, went to the Roman Cathedral this Friday to pray in front of the icon. “The Willow of the People of Rome”this was the Byzantine image he consecrated and to which he was entrusted on every apostolic journey.

The pope entered the cathedral in a wheelchair due to well-known knee problems and was led to the icon, where he left a basket of flowers and prayed in silence for a while.

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Under the image of the Virgin and Child, you can see the “golden rose” dedicated to her by Francis.

This is an honor bestowed by popes over the centuries on kings, emperors, the Virgin Mary, or other religious icons and celebrities.

The Argentinian pope decided to dedicate this icon as two other popes in the past had done: Julius III in 1551 and Paul V in 1613, although the roses have since disappeared from the cathedral (it is believed they were raised by Napoleon lost during the invasion)).

FranciscoToday he once again appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus. A few days ago he prayed for his health at the Casa Santa Marta. This afternoon he will go to the Piazza di Spagna in the center of Rome to pray in front of the Angelus statue. pray. Immaculate Conception, Conception.

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