Pope Leone XIV visits Pavia and Sant’Angelo Lodigiano

On 20 June 2026 Pope Leone XIV made a pastoral visit to the northern Italian cities of Pavia and Sant’Angelo Lodigiano. After landing by helicopter, he first went to the National Centre for Hadron Oncology (CNAO) in Pavia, where he met children and families receiving cancer treatment. He then proceeded to the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro, the resting place of Saint Augustine, and led a liturgy that included veneration of the saint’s relics. In his homily he urged “Basta con le parole d’odio” – an end to hatred, bullying and division – and called the faithful, especially young people, to become builders of peace and reconciliation. Later in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano he honored the relic of Saint Francesca Cabrini, patron of migrants, highlighting the contemporary migration challenge. The Pope emphasized Augustinian spirituality, interiority and unity, praising the city’s academic tradition and thanking roughly 15 000 attendees for their warm welcome.