Pope Leo XIV makes surprise visits to Montecassino, Vallepietra and Subiaco

During his summer vacation at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV embarked on a series of surprise pilgrim trips in Italy. On 20 July he arrived unannounced at the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino, prayed at the tomb of St Benedict, asked for peace in conflict‑ridden regions, celebrated the midday prayer with the monks and toured the archive, library and museum.

Two days later, on 22 July, the Pope travelled to the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Trinity in Vallepietra, prayed before the fresco of the Trinity and greeted the faithful, saying the sanctuary “reminds us of the desire in every heart to seek God, holiness and His help”. He then continued to Subiaco, where he visited the Sacred Cave of St Benedict and the Monastery of St Scholastica, meditated before a 13th‑century St Francis fresco, kissed the knee of St Benedict’s statue, recited the Our Father and shared lunch with the Benedictine community.