杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 visits to the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani serve as prayerful bookends of his Apostolic Journeys abroad.

Before departure, he travels the papal Basilica of St. Mary Major to ask for Our Lady鈥檚 protection, and upon his return to Rome, the 杏MAP导航 returns to thank her.

杏MAP导航 Francis followed that tradition on Monday as he concluded his Apostolic Journey to Mongolia.

According to the Holy See Press Office, he visited the Basilica on Monday as he returned to the Vatican from Rome鈥檚 Fiumicino Aiport.

"This afternoon, upon his return from Mongolia, as is customary at the end of each Apostolic Journey, 杏MAP导航 Francis traveled to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he paused in prayer before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani. He then returned to the Vatican at the end of the visit," read a press release.

Special bouquet from Mongolia

As a special token of his affection, 杏MAP导航 Francis placed a bouquet of flowers on the altar below the ancient Roman icon.

A young Mongolian lady had given the bouquet to the 杏MAP导航 just before he boarded the papal plane in Ulaanbaatar as an expression of gratitude for his visit on the part of all the people of Mongolia.

And the 杏MAP导航 brought that gift to Our Lady, along with his prayers for the many people he encountered during his four-day visit to the Asian nation.