Pope Leo XIV in Pavia on 20 June 2026

On Saturday 20 June 2026, Pavia will welcome Pope Leo XIV for a pastoral visit set to mark a historic moment for the city and its diocese. An intense afternoon that will take in some of the most significant sites in the historic centre — from the CNAO oncology centre to the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro, from the Cathedral to an open meeting with citizens in Piazza Vittoria. With the official popemobile route now published and celebratory materials being distributed, anticipation is growing across the entire province.

Official programme of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Pavia

The Holy Father will depart from the Vatican at 13:00 and land by helicopter at the CUS Rugby Ground in Cravino at 14:45. He will be welcomed by the Bishop of Pavia Mons. Corrado Sanguineti, the President of the Lombardy Region On. Attilio Fontana, the Prefect of Pavia Dott.ssa Francesca De Carlini, the Mayor of Pavia Dott. Michele Lissia and the President of the Province of Pavia Dott. Giovanni Palli.

The visit to CNAO

The first stop of the day is the National Centre for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), reached by car at 15:00. Here the Pope will be welcomed by President Dott. Gianluca Vago and Director Dott. Sandro Rossi. Pope Leo XIV will meet executives, medical staff and some children currently undergoing treatment together with their parents — a gesture underscoring the Church's closeness to the most vulnerable and to science in the service of life.

The stop at the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro

At 15:30 the transfer to the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro, where the Pope will arrive at 15:45. At the Augustinian Fathers' Convent he will be welcomed by Prior General Father Joseph L. Farrell, Provincial Prior Father Gabriele Pedicino and Convent Prior Father Gianfranco Casagrande. After a brief meeting with the Augustinian community, the Holy Father will greet the Bishops of Lombardy and collaborators in the cloister.

In the basilica, in the presence of the clergy, consecrated persons and permanent deacons of Lombardy, the Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated with the veneration of the relics of Saint Augustine. The visit will conclude with the Holy Father's address, before he leaves the basilica to greet the faithful gathered in the forecourt.

San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro houses the remains of Saint Augustine and the tomb of Severinus Boethius — one of the finest Romanesque basilicas in Italy, which on this occasion will once again take centre stage on the international scene.

The popemobile route through the historic centre

After the stop at the Basilica and the greeting to the faithful in the forecourt, the popemobile will leave Piazza San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro and travel through the streets of the historic centre towards the Cathedral. The official route published by the Diocese runs along Viale Matteotti, Via Griziotti, Piazza Petrarca, Via XX Settembre and Via Bossolaro: the streets will be covered in both directions, giving the thousands of people lining the route the chance to see the Pope up close. The total distance is approximately 14 km. Those without accreditation for the main squares may watch the popemobile pass freely along these central streets.

The Cathedral and Piazza Duomo

At around 17:00 the Pope will arrive by car at Piazza Duomo. On the Cathedral steps he will receive a floral tribute from children and greet the South American community in attendance. Inside, welcomed by the Chapter members, he will adore the Blessed Sacrament and pause before the altar of San Siro, first Bishop and Patron of the Diocese and the City.

The meeting with citizens in Piazza Vittoria

At 17:15 the Pope will leave the Cathedral and walk to Piazza Vittoria, where at 17:30 the most eagerly awaited moment will take place: an open meeting with the citizens of Pavia. After greetings from Mayor Michele Lissia and Bishop Corrado Sanguineti, Pope Leo XIV will deliver his public address. He will then greet a delegation of authorities and faithful before returning to the Cravino ground, departing by helicopter at 18:45.

How to attend Pope Leo XIV's visit to Pavia

For faithful of the Diocese of Pavia

Faithful residing within the Diocese of Pavia will be able to access the reserved areas through their own parishes. Individual parish communities will manage the online booking of access passes. Passes may be collected from Monday 15 June at the porter's lodge of the Bishop's Curia — accessible from Piazza Ciel d'Oro, Piazza Duomo and Piazza Vittoria — subject to availability.

Information point and pass collection at Castello Visconteo

On 20 June an information and pass collection point will be open in the gardens of Castello Visconteo: anyone who has not yet collected their pass will be able to do so on site before the visit begins.

For visitors from outside the diocese

For pilgrims and visitors coming from outside the diocese, the Diocese of Pavia has set up a dedicated area equipped with a large screen from which all the key moments of the papal visit can be followed live. This arrangement is designed to ensure safety and full participation for those arriving from other regional and national church communities.

Big screens across the city

To allow as many people as possible to follow the highlights of the visit, the City Council will deploy 14 large screens along the Pope's route. Screens will be installed in Piazza Petrarca and in the gardens of Castello Visconteo, transmitting the main events of the day live. Those positioned along the route will find excellent viewing points at these locations.

Flags and caps to welcome the Pope

The Diocese of Pavia has prepared celebratory materials for distribution to residents: flags to hang from windows and balconies along the route, and caps for those attending in the squares. Materials will be available from Monday 15 June at the porter's lodge of the Bishop's Curia, subject to availability. Some items will also be distributed directly on 20 June at points indicated by the organisers.

Organisational secretariat

For information and enquiries related to the visit, a dedicated organisational secretariat is available by email at visitapapa@diocesi.pavia.it or by phone on 0382.386512, Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00.

Commemorative philatelic cancellation

Among the special initiatives planned for the day is a commemorative philatelic cancellation dedicated to the Pope's arrival. The Diocese has worked with Poste Italiane to produce a commemorative postcard featuring a religious-themed stamp and a specially designed postmark. In the gardens of Castello Visconteo, a Poste Italiane stand will be set up and open from 11:00 to 19:00 on 20 June, where faithful and collectors alike can purchase the postcard complete with the commemorative cancellation.

Travel and parking

Given the extraordinary number of visitors expected on 20 June, it is strongly recommended to plan your arrival in Pavia well ahead of the scheduled times — both to access the squares and to secure a good vantage point along the popemobile route. The Diocese will communicate road changes and designated parking areas for attendees as soon as possible. The City Council will deploy 14 crowd-control barriers along the Pope's route to ensure the safety of faithful and authorities alike.

A unique event for Pavia and the surrounding area

Pope Leo XIV's visit is an extraordinary occasion not only for the Pavia church community but for the entire province. Pavia, with its centuries-old religious and cultural heritage, is once again taking centre stage in an event of international significance, drawing pilgrims, visitors and media from across Italy and beyond.

For those coming to the city for this occasion, Pavia offers a historic centre rich in Romanesque churches, the Castello Visconteo, the Certosa di Pavia just a few kilometres away and the banks of the Ticino river — a destination well worth exploring beyond the day of 20 June itself.