Basilica of St. Mary Major

The Latest

Pope Leo XIV prays at St. Mary Major, May 25, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV prays before the icon of Mary, ‘Health of the Roman People,’ in St. Mary Major

May 25, 2025

By David Ramos

Pope Leo XIV prayed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major following the Mass where he took possession of the... Read more

Prelates watch as Vatican officials prepare Pope Francis’ tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Pope Francis buried in beloved Marian basilica after coffin crosses Rome in popemobile

Apr 26, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope’s burial site, at his request, is the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four papal basilicas... Read more

The statue of Our Lady, Queen of Peace in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

7 popes are buried at St. Mary Major; Pope Francis will soon be the eighth

Apr 26, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis will be buried today at Santa Maria Maggiore — who are the other popes buried there? Read more

Left: Ismael with his friend Dalia, who traveled from Barcelona, Spain. Right: Nadia Trujillo, Ana Asensio, and their friend who joined them from Portugal.

First pilgrims begin to line up 12 hours ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral

Apr 25, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The first of thousands of pilgrims were already lining up along the streets to catch a glimpse of the late... Read more

The tomb of Pope Francis in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Preview of Pope Francis’ tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica

Apr 25, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Francis’ tomb is made of Ligurian (Italian) marble with the sole inscription “FRANCISCUS” and a reproduction of his pectoral... Read more

A Sister of the Missionaries of Charity touches the bronze Holy Door at the papal basilica during its opening for the 2025 Jubilee Year. The religious sister, wearing the distinctive white and blue habit of the order founded by Mother Teresa, joins other faithful in this traditional gesture of devotion as they pass through the ceremonial door on Jan. 1, 2025.

PHOTOS: Holy Door opens at Rome’s Marian marvel as new cardinal highlights hope at St. Mary Major

Jan 1, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The distinctive dong of an ancient bell accompanied the opening of the Holy Door at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary... Read more

A marble sculpture of St. Cajetan holding the infant Jesus identifies the spot where the saint’s vision occurred in the crypt of the Chapel of the Nativity, the side chapel to the right of the main altar of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

The little-known story of a saint’s Christmas vision of the infant Jesus in Rome

Dec 24, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The experience of the newborn Jesus occurred within the storied walls of the Marian basilica’s Chapel of the Nativity, where... Read more

Pope Francis holds his rosary beads during a rosary prayer for peace at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Oct. 6, 2024.

Pope Francis prays rosary for peace on eve of first anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack

Oct 6, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, the pope implored Our Lady, Queen of... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates second vespers on the feast of Our Lady of the Snows at the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Aug. 5, 2024.

Pope Francis: ‘Miracle of the Snow’ reminds us of Mary and the wonder of grace

Aug 6, 2024

By Kristina Millare

During the second vespers on the solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows at the Basilica of St. Mary Major... Read more

A reenactment of the miracle of snow is celebrated with white flower petals falling from the ceiling at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Aug. 5, 2024.

Pope Francis celebrates ‘Miracle of the Snow’ at Basilica of St. Mary Major 

Aug 5, 2024

By Kristina Millare

A shower of white rose petals fell from the basilica’s ceiling symbolizing the miracle promised by Our Lady. Read more

Rose petals fall in St. Mary Major Basilica Aug. 5, 2017 to commemorate the "miracle of the snow."

Pope Francis to attend ‘Miracle of the Snow’ commemoration in Rome

Jul 12, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Each year white rose petals fall from the ceiling of the papal Marian basilica in commemoration of a miraculous snowfall... Read more

Pope Francis venerates the Salus Populi Romani icon in the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Dec. 8, 2023.

Pope Francis changes statutes of papal basilica, emphasizing work of canons 

Mar 21, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The new regulations place emphasis on spiritual work and pastoral care and appointing a coadjutor archpriest of the West’s oldest... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience Dec. 13, 2023, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

Pope Francis says that he wants to be buried in Marian basilica in new interview

Dec 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has said that he wants to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome because... Read more

Pope Francis greeted the crowd gathered outside of the hospital after he was discharged on the morning of April 1, 2023.

Pope Francis returns to the Vatican after 3 days in the hospital

Apr 1, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital Saturday morning after a three-night stay in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at his Sunday Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis on World Day for Consecrated Life: Religious have ‘special role’ in the Church

Feb 2, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ message was read at the beginning of a Mass for consecrated men and women in Rome’s St. Mary... Read more

Nativity scene commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV in 1292. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

First known Nativity scene figurines are on display in Rome

Dec 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The first known Nativity scene figurines are housed in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Read more

Pope Francis prays the rosary for peace in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, May 31, 2022.

Pope Francis prays rosary for peace in Ukraine and around the world

May 31, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope meditated on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary in union with Marian shrines around the world. Read more

Pope Francis prays before Our Lady of Fatima May 13, 2015.

Ukraine war: Catholics invited to join Pope Francis in praying rosary for peace

May 26, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Vatican said: ‘All the faithful in every part of the world are invited to support Pope Francis in his... Read more

Pope Francis prays before the Salus Populi Romani icon in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major Dec. 8, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis appoints commissioner to oversee Rome basilica’s financial assets

Dec 15, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

St. Mary Major is one of four papal major basilicas in Rome. Read more

Nativity scene commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV in 1292. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

First known nativity scene figurines can now be seen in St. Mary Major Basilica

Dec 23, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The first known nativity scene figurines are on display this Christmas in one of Rome’s oldest basilicas.  Read more