Our Lady of Pompeii 2026: 150 years of faith, the Supplication, and the Pope's historic visit

Madonna di Pompei 2026: 150 anni di fede, la Supplica e la visita storica del Papa

May 8, 2026, is no ordinary day.
It is a date destined to enter the history of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and the Catholic Church.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the laying of the first stone of the Shrine of Pompeii, which took place on May 8, 1876. An extraordinary anniversary that coincides with three exceptional events:

the traditional and much-loved Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii,
the first anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV,
and the historic visit of the Pope to the Shrine of Pompeii.

The Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii: a ritual that unites millions of faithful

Every year, the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii draws faithful from all over the world. At 12 o'clock on May 8, thousands of people gather in front of the Shrine to pray together one of the most famous Marian prayers in the history of the Church, written by Saint Bartolo Longo in 1883.

But this year the atmosphere is completely different. Pompeii is preparing to experience a historic anniversary, an extraordinary papal visit, and a day of faith that will remain in memory for decades.

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Our statues are hand-carved and hand-painted in Val Gardena, according to the Alpine craft tradition.

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The historic visit of Pope Leo XIV to Pompeii

Pope Leo XIV arrived by helicopter at the Shrine of Pompeii for a pastoral visit already deemed historic. The program included:

meeting with the charitable works of the Shrine,
passing among the faithful,
veneration of the relics of Saint Bartolo Longo,
Solemn Holy Mass,
and the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii.

The entire city prepared to welcome an enormous crowd of pilgrims from all over Italy and abroad, with reinforced trains and public transport to manage the extraordinary influx.

Santuario della Madonna di Pompei

Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii: a devotion that spans the world

The Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii is one of the most beloved Marian images of the Catholic faith. For millions of people, it represents hope, protection, healing, family, conversion, and peace.

Devotion to Our Lady of Pompeii has spanned generations, wars, and continents, reaching every part of the world today. And this is precisely the power of authentic sacred art: transforming wood, color, and sculpture into something that touches people's hearts.

The Dolfi sculpture: a handcrafted masterpiece in linden wood

Our statue of Our Lady of Pompeii is hand-carved in linden wood by master carvers from Val Gardena, following the centuries-old tradition passed down from generation to generation. Every detail is the result of hours of patient and skillful work: the intense blue mantle that envelops the Virgin, finished with hand-gilded edges; the crimson red robe that recalls royalty and martyrdom; the Infant Jesus in an ivory white habit, with his hand raised in blessing.

Statue of Our Lady of Pompeii hand-carved in Val Gardena

The hand-painting is done with high-quality oil paints, applied in multiple layers to achieve depth, luminosity, and a color rendition that approaches classic pictorial tradition. The face of the Madonna, serene and maternal, is painted with delicate strokes that convey peace and contemplation. The golden crown, stars, and rosary with a cross are finished in pure gold.

The Dolfi Our Lady of Pompeii statue is available in various sizes, designed for every need and context:

Home version — compact sizes (starting from 20–30 cm), ideal for the bedroom, living room, a shelf, or a domestic chapel. A discreet and precious presence that carries the profound meaning of a millennial devotion.
Church or outdoor version — large and monumental sizes, custom-made for parishes, shrines, chapels, votive shrines, and outdoor spaces. Specific protective treatments to ensure durability and beauty over time even in exposed environments.

Each piece is unique and can be customized in size, colors, and details upon request.

🕊️ Commission your Our Lady of Pompeii statue

We create custom statues for individuals, churches, and parishes. Each piece is unique, hand-carved by master artisans in Val Gardena.

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The artisanal sacred art of Val Gardena: faith carved in wood

In an increasingly fast and industrial world, true artisanal religious sculpture continues to have a unique soul. The hand-carved and hand-painted statues in the traditional Val Gardena style are not just decorative objects: they are works that tell stories of faith, tradition, and spirituality.

On days like this, dedicated to Our Lady of Pompeii, one understands even more how a sacred statue can become presence, emotion, and prayer.

"Pompeii is not just a Shrine.
It is a place where millions of people, for 150 years, continue to entrust their lives to the Madonna."

About us: Dolfi, artisanal sacred art from the heart of the Dolomites

Dolfi is an Italian company specializing in the production and sale of artisanal sacred sculptures, with deep roots in the woodcarving tradition of Val Gardena, in the heart of the South Tyrolean Dolomites.

For generations, our master artisans have been carving and hand-painting religious statues of the highest quality: Madonnas, Christs, Saints, nativity scenes, and devotional works for private individuals, families, churches, parishes, and religious institutions all over the world.

Every Dolfi work is created from selected raw materials — mainly linden wood — and is entirely handcrafted, from carving to oil painting, up to the pure gold finishes. The result is a unique, unrepeatable piece that carries the soul of a centuries-old tradition.