Francis on December 8, 2014

ROME, December 08, 2014 (Zenit.org) - This afternoon, Pope Francis visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he prayed in front of the image of the SalusPopuli Romani.

From there, the Pope went to Piazza di Spagna for the traditional act of veneration of the Immaculate Conception.

Arriving at Piazza di Spagna around 4:15 pm, the Holy Father carried out the Act of Veneration of the Immaculate Conception.

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“May the power of God's love,

that preserved You from original sin,

through Your intercession, free humanity from every spiritual and material slavery, and make us win, in hearts and in events, God's plan of salvation.

May grace prevail in us, Your children, over pride and we can become merciful

as our heavenly Father is merciful. In this time that leads us towards the feast of the Nativity of Jesus, teach us to go against the tide: to divest ourselves, to lower ourselves, to give ourselves, to listen, to be silent, to decentralize ourselves, to make room for the beauty of God, the source of true joy.

Oh Immaculate, Our Mother, pray for us!