I
The Original Painting
Main altar, basilica The 16th-century painting of Our Lady with the Rosary, brought to Pompei on a fertiliser cart, has been embellished with a gold and gemstone frame of extraordinary opulence.
01At a Glance
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei stands in the city of Pompei (spelled without the double p, distinct from the ancient Roman ruins nearby) in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. It was founded by Blessed Bartolo Longo, a former Satanist who converted to Catholicism and dedicated his life to spreading the Rosary. His story — from active opponent of the Church to the founder of a major Marian basilica — is one of the most dramatic conversion narratives in 19th-century Catholicism. In 1875, Longo came to a poor valley town south of Naples at the invitation of the local bishop, bringing a worn and dilapidated painting of the Virgin of the Rosary on a cart carrying fertiliser. Within a decade, the painting was venerated by thousands, a grand basilica was rising, and miraculous cures were reported. The basilica was completed in stages between 1887 and 1939. Longo also founded schools, orphanages, and a printing house alongside the basilica. The two Supplications to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei — prayed at noon on the first Sunday of May and the first Sunday of October — have been observed continuously since 1883. Millions across the world join in these prayers simultaneously, making them among the most globally participated devotional acts in Catholicism. Longo was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980.
1
Founded by a former Satanist turned devoted Catholic — one of the most dramatic conversion stories in the Church The Supplications of Pompei (May and October) are prayed simultaneously by millions worldwide
2
The original painting of the Virgin of the Rosary was brought to Pompei on a cart carrying fertiliser in 1875 Blessed Bartolo Longo is the only beatified lay founder of a major basilica in modern Catholic history The basilica combines religious activity with schools, orphanages, and social services — faith in action
02Plan Your Visit
03Must See
What to seek out, and why it matters
II
Our Lady with the Rosary, flanked by St Dominic and St Catherine of Siena
The image itself
looks down on a basilica built entirely on the faith that a battered painting could change a valley.
III
Exterior, Piazza Bartolo Longo [OUTDOOR] The white marble neo-Renaissance facade with its central campanile and twin clocks dominates the piazza. The campanile, completed in 1925, is one of the tallest in Italy at 80 metres. Facing it across the piazza is the street that leads to the ancient Roman ruins of Pompeii
The Basilica Facade
a theological contrast that pilgrims have always noted.
IV
The Chapel of Bartolo Longo
Side chapel, basilica The chapel containing the tomb of Blessed Bartolo Longo tells the story of his conversion and his extraordinary life. From Satanist to beatified foundoer in one lifetime. The story is simultaneously an argument against determinism and a testimony to the power of the Rosary.
V
The Valley Schools and Orphanages
Around the basilica complex Longo built schools and orphanages for the children of the valley alongside the basilica. The social mission is as much a part of Pompei as the devotion. This fusion of Marian devotion and practical social service is the most distinctive characteristic of Pompei.
VI
View from the basilica [OUTDOOR] From the piazza in front of the basilica, Mount Vesuvius is clearly visible to the north
Mount Vesuvius from the Piazza
its characteristic flat-topped profile dominating the horizon. The pilgrimage basilica standing in the shadow of the volcano that destroyed the ancient city below is one of the great visual ironies of Italian Catholic geography.
04Masses & Events
5Reflection & Prayer
Bartolo Longo arrived in the valley of Pompei as a former Satanist carrying a battered painting on a fertiliser cart. Within fifty years, the painting was in a basilica receiving millions of pilgrims. Within a century, he was beatified. This is not an argument for being a Satanist. It is an argument that the distance between where you are and where you could be is not fixed. The cart that carried the painting also carried the man who would build the basilica. He did not know this yet.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Read in full on Bible Gateway →06More
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei stands in the city of Pompei (spelled without the double p, distinct from the ancient Roman ruins nearby) in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. It was founded by Blessed Bartolo Longo, a former Satanist who converted to Catholicism and dedicated his life to spreading the Rosary. His story — from active opponent of the Church to the founder of a major Marian basilica — is one of the most dramatic conversion narratives in 19th-century Catholicism.
Bartolo Longo
In 1875, Longo came to a poor valley town south of Naples at the invitation of the local bishop, bringing a worn and dilapidated painting of the Virgin of the Rosary on a cart carrying fertiliser. Within a decade, the painting was venerated by thousands, a grand basilica was rising, and miraculous cures were reported. The basilica was completed in stages between 1887 and 1939. Longo also founded schools, orphanages and a printing house alongside the basilica.
The Supplications
The two Supplications to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei — prayed at noon on the first Sunday of May and the first Sunday of October — have been observed continuously since 1883. Millions across the world join in these prayers simultaneously, making them among the most globally participated devotional acts in Catholicism. Longo was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980.
Gallery5 photos
