Carved from dark wood, the statue is an icon of Saint Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Had its supernatural story played out somewhere else ― such as Mexico, where a cloak bearing Mary’s ...

Water concerns continue along the Hi-Line ...

Pope Francis to be buried in Saint Mary Major church, ... Here we are in front of the icon of Mother Mary in the St. Mary Major church. People are gathered in this side chapel.

After blessing the faithful, he entered the chapel that houses the Marian icon, traditionally attributed to St. Luke, and, kneeling, prayed for a few minutes before placing a bouquet of flowers at ...

The Virgin Mary icon seemed to become almost an ally for Francis in his papacy. He visited her on his first day as pope in 2013, and would pray to her before and after every trip out of Rome.

Two mothers who went to morning Mass on a recent weekday at the Genazzano chapel — where the Mary icon stands — said they pray their children, ranging in age from 18 to 24, will keep the faith.

Pope Leo XIV prayed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major following the Mass where he took possession of the Basilica of St. John Lateran as bishop of Rome.

The icon, by pious tradition painted by St. Luke, first came to Rome from the East in the fifth century, when Mary was declared the Theotokos — Mother of God — at the Council of Ephesus in 431.

The St. Mary's you see today was constructed starting in 1868, with work continuing until 1928. In fact, its spires were not added until 2000.

The Virgin Mary icon seemed to become almost an ally for Francis in his papacy. He visited her on his first day as pope in 2013, and would pray to her before and after every trip out of Rome.

This is the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. It is known for its impressive architecture and its historical and religious significance. The basilica houses the icon of the Salus Populi Romani and the ...

Different icons, common prayers. How Mary is represented, however, varies greatly across time and places, Harris added. There are “Black” Virgin Marys — dark-skinned paintings and statues ...