Pope Francis made the traditional papal trip to Rome's Piazza di Spagna yesterday to pay homage to Mary Immaculate and recited a prayer written especially for this occasion.

Vatican Information Service is reporting that Francis made the traditional trip and was warmly received by thousands of the faithful along the way. As is traditional for popes, he placed a floral wreath at the feet of the statue of the Our Lady in honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. From there, he walked into the crowd, embracing children and patients in wheelchairs, greeted Cardinal Agostino Vallini, vicar general of the city of Rome, and recited the following prayer, composed specially for the occasion:

“Virgin most holy and immaculate, to you, the honour of our people, and the loving protector of our city, do we turn with loving trust. You are all-beautiful, O Mary! In you there is no sin. Awaken in all of us a renewed desire for holiness: May the splendour of truth shine forth in our words, the song of charity resound in our works, purity and chastity abide in our hearts and bodies, and the full beauty of the Gospel be evident in our lives. You are all-beautiful, O Mary! In you the Word of God became flesh. Help us always to heed the Lord’s voice: May we never be indifferent to the cry of the poor, or untouched by the sufferings of the sick and those in need; may we be sensitive to the loneliness of the elderly and the vulnerability of children, and always love and cherish the life of every human being. You are all-beautiful, O Mary! In you is the fullness of joy born of life with God. Help us never to forget the meaning of our earthly journey: May the kindly light of faith illumine our days, the comforting power of hope direct our steps, the contagious warmth of love stir our hearts; and may our gaze be fixed on God, in whom true joy is found. You are all-beautiful, O Mary! Hear our prayer, graciously hear our plea: May the beauty of God’s merciful love in Jesus abide in our hearts, and may this divine beauty save us, our city and the entire world. Amen”.

After the act of veneration, the Pope went on to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where, as announced during the Angelus, he prayed before the image of Mary “Salus populi romani”, for all and especially for the inhabitants of the capital.

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Let Mary be your guide to Jesus! True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, translated by Father Frederick Faber, will show you the way!