The international pilgrimage of May to the Sanctuary of Fátima is currently underway, marking the first such event following the death of Pope Francis and the election of Leo XIV.
The pilgrimage celebrations on May 12 and 13, commemorating 108 years since the events at Cova da Iria and anticipating the arrival of thousands of faithful, commenced this evening at 9:30 PM with the recitation of the rosary at the Chapel of Apparitions. This was followed by the candle procession and the Celebration of the Word in the sanctuary courtyard.
Images from tonight’s events are available in the photo gallery above.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, following the 9:00 AM rosary recitation at the Chapel of Apparitions, the mass will begin an hour later. It will feature the blessing of the sick and the farewell procession in the courtyard.
Pope Francis, who was elected in 2013, passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. He visited the Sanctuary of Fátima twice: in May 2017, during the centennial of the events at Cova da Iria for the canonization of the blessed siblings Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and again in August 2023 during World Youth Day in Lisbon.
American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was elected Pope on Thursday after a two-day conclave, assuming the name Leo XIV.
For this pilgrimage, the first major pilgrimage of the year to the country’s largest Marian temple, a security presence of approximately 240 military personnel has been announced by the National Republican Guard.
