On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to Chagall's White Crucifixion

After the traditional stop to lead the prayer to Our Lady in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna yesterday, Pope Francis made a surprise visit to Via del Corso to admire Marc Chagall's masterpiece, "The White Crucifixion", which has just opened ahead of the 2025 Jubilee at Palazzo Cipolla. The painting is a particularly favorite of the Holy Father and can be visited until January 27 as part of the "Jubilee is Culture" season.

When he arrived at the Museum, Pope Francis spent some time in silent contemplation before the work created by Chagall in 1938 in response to the ominous events of “Kristallnacht” – the night of broken glass. The White Crucifixion is one of the most emblematic paintings by the Russian artist who was of Jewish origin. It is a powerful denunciation of persecution and injustice. The Pope's visit can be seen as a gesture that unites faith, culture, and historical memory, reinforcing the universal message of hope and reconciliation ahead of the opening of the Holy Year.

Earlier, during the annual act of veneration of Our Lady near the Spanish Steps, the Pope entrusted the Jubilee that will begin in a few days, and the city of Rome itself which will welcome millions of pilgrims during the Holy Year, to the Virgin Mary.

"Our Mother, Rome is preparing for a new Jubilee," said the Holy Father during the prayer, "which will be a message of hope for humanity which is so tried by crises and wars. This is why there are building sites everywhere in the city: this causes no small amount of inconvenience, yet it is a sign that Rome is alive, that Rome is renewing itself, that Rome is trying to adapt to people’s needs, to be more welcoming and more efficient." Then he added: "But your gaze as a Mother looks beyond. And I seem to hear your voice wisely telling us: ‘My children, all these works are fine, but be careful: do not forget the building sites of the soul! The true Jubilee is within - within your hearts, within family and social relationships. It is within that we must work to prepare the way for the Lord who is coming.’"