Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore, Catholic pilgrimage church in Castel di Leva, Rome, Italy
The Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore is a pilgrimage church in Castel di Leva south of Rome, consisting of two buildings: a baroque chapel from the 18th century and a large basilica from the late 20th century. Both churches stand on a wide square, surrounded by low buildings that house pilgrim accommodations and administrative spaces.
A fresco of Madonna and Child, painted on a castle tower during medieval times, drew pilgrims starting in 1740 after a traveler found refuge there. The small chapel was built in 1745 to protect the image, while the new basilica was consecrated only at the turn of the millennium.
Many families from Rome come here on weekends to pray and sit on the benches in front of the old chapel. The night processions held during summer draw believers from all neighborhoods, who walk through the dark countryside on foot.
The sanctuary is about 12 kilometers outside the Roman walls, in a rural area reachable by car or public buses. Services are held daily, and visitors can move freely between the two churches and the outdoor spaces.
The Pope added this sanctuary to the seven traditional pilgrimage churches of Rome in 2000, making it the newest addition to a centuries-old circuit. Despite its modern size, the new basilica preserves the old fresco in a dedicated side chapel.
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