Pope Leo to celebrate Mass at the parish of St Anne in the Vatican

By Tiziana Campisi

The Holy See Press Office announced on Friday that Pope Leo XIV will preside over Mass at the Parish of St Anne in the Vatican on Sunday, 21 September,  in the morning.  Last year, on July 26, Cardinal Prevost celebrated the Eucharist there on the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne.

Ancient seat of the Confraternity of the Pontifical Grooms

The historic church, whose construction dates back to the 16th century, was originally the seat of the Confraternity of the Pontifical Grooms, who were in charge of the papal stables and had St. Anne as their patron.

Following the Lateran Pacts, on 30 May 1929, Pope Pius XI, with the Apostolic Constitution Ex Lateranensi pacto, established it as a parish and entrusted its pastoral care to the Augustinian religious. Its first pastor, Agostino Ruelli, was appointed on 7 August of the same year. The current pastor is Augustinian Father Mario Millardi.

Popes at St Anne in the Vatican

Several Popes have visited the parish of St. Anne: Pius XI, who wished to be present at the inauguration of the organ on 7 February 1931; John XXIII, who visited on 20 January 1961; Paul VI, who on 29 May 1970, commemorated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination; John Paul II, who called it “my parish” during the homily he delivered on 10 December 1978; Benedict XVI, who presided over a celebration on 5 February 2006; and Francis, who chose it for his first public Mass on 17 March 2013.