Anticipation is building in the Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro ahead of the visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled for Saturday, August 22. The registration period through parishes has now come to a close, and, as the Diocese has announced, requests have exceeded the number of spots available in the reserved areas.
Access to the areas set aside for the faithful will be limited to pass holders only, while those who were unable to register will still be able to watch the Pontiff pass by in the open-access zones along the route, stretching from Torraccia to the entrance of San Marino’s historic center. Details on how passes will be distributed are expected in the coming days. Ongoing updates on the schedule, the route of the Popemobile, access to the historic center and other logistical matters will be published on the Diocese’s dedicated website.
Meanwhile, spiritual preparations for the visit continue. Until August 10, every evening at 8:30 p.m., the Poor Clare Nuns of Valdragone are holding a novena in preparation for the feast of Saint Clare of Assisi, featuring reflections inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas. The initiative follows the presentation of the document organized by the Augustinian Nuns of Pennabilli.
Another event is scheduled for Monday, August 17 at the Montelupo Hall in Domagnano, where an evening titled “A Year with Pope Prevost: An Evening of Words and Images to Get to Know the Pope Better” will take place, featuring Lorenzo Fazzini, editorial director of the Vatican Publishing House (Libreria Editrice Vaticana).
Preparations for the Holy Father’s visit will also be marked by several significant moments in the life of the diocese, including the feast of Saint Leo, patron of the Diocese, the Pardon of Assisi at Sant’Igne, and the pilgrimage to the Hermitage of the Beech Tree (Eremo del Faggio) dedicated to the Virgin Mary — all initiatives accompanying the community as it looks forward to the long-awaited meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
