About Bartolo Longo:
The Shrine’s story is inseparable from its founder, Bartolo Longo (1841–1926), a former anti-clerical law student who dabbled in Satanism and spiritualism during Italy’s turbulent Risorgimento era. A profound conversion in 1864, influenced by a Dominican priest and devotion to the Rosary, led Bartolo Longo to join the Third Order Dominicans in 1871, adopting the name Brother Rosario.
In 1872, while administering property in the impoverished, malaria-ridden Valley of Pompeii for Countess Marianna Farnararo De Fusco, Bartolo Longo was struck by the spiritual desolation: a dilapidated church, rampant poverty, and widespread neglect of faith. He began restoring the old church and promoting Rosary devotion through a confraternity and festivals.
Bartolo Longo was declared Blessed on October 26, 1980, by Pope John Paul II…..and will be canonized by Pope Leo XIV on October 19, 2025…becoming Saint Bartolo Longo.
About the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, Italy:
The Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary (also known as the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Rosary) in Pompeii, Italy, is one of the world’s most prominent Marian pilgrimage sites, drawing over 2-3 million visitors annually. Located in the modern town of Pompeii (distinct from the ancient archaeological ruins nearby), it serves as a cathedral, minor basilica, and the seat of the Territorial Prelature of Pompeii. The shrine is renowned for its devotion to the Holy Rosary, symbolizing hope, redemption, and intercession through Mary. It gained papal recognition in 1901 from Pope Leo XIII and has hosted visits from saints and popes, including St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.History
In November 1875, he acquired a modest 17th-century painting of Our Lady of the Rosary—depicting Mary and the Child Jesus handing rosaries to St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena—from a shop in Naples. Blessed by the Archbishop of Naples, it arrived in Pompeii on February 13, 1876, marking the shrine’s spiritual foundation. Construction of the current basilica began in 1876, funded by global donations (including from Queen Isabella II of Spain), and the first stone was laid in 1887.
The church opened in 1891, was consecrated in 1939, and elevated to minor basilica status in 1980. Longo’s remains are enshrined beneath the main altar. In 2025, Pope Francis marked the 150th anniversary of the image’s arrival by urging pilgrims to “rediscover the beauty of the rosary” as a Gospel-rooted prayer contemplating Christ’s mysteries.
Designed by Neapolitan architect Giuseppe Muglie in a neo-Renaissance style, the shrine features a Latin cross plan with a grand facade adorned with statues of saints and prophets.
The interior boasts intricate marble work, frescoes depicting Rosary mysteries, and a striking blue-and-gold dome. The centerpiece is the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Pompeii, housed in a golden baroque altar above the sanctuary.
Flanking it are life-size statues of notable pilgrims, including St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and St. Joseph Moscati.
Key areas include the Rosary Corridor, a mosaic-lined walkway with scenes from the life of Mary; Oratory of the Assumption, a smaller chapel for intimate prayer; and, of course, the tomb of Bartolo Longo. His tomb is a serene crypt with relics and inscriptions of his charitable works.
There is also a museum and library, with exhibits on Bartolo Longo’s life, Rosary artifacts, and ex-votos (gratitude offerings) from healed pilgrims.
The shrine complex also encompasses schools, orphanages, and hospitals founded by Bartolo Longo, emphasizing social outreach.
Traveling to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary (Santuario della Beata Vergine del Rosario) in Pompeii, Italy:
There is a metro stop near the Shrine, Pomei Santuario.
Address: Campanile di Pompei, Santuario della Beata Vergine del Rosario