Pope Francis visits Pompei, Scampia and Napoli

(AGI) Pompei, March 21 - The helicopter carrying Pope Francislanded in the area behind the sanctuary of the Blessed Virginof the Rosary of Pompeii shortly after 8 o'clock on Saturdaymorning. This was the first stop in the Argentinian Pope'spastoral tour of the "Land of Fires", or the so-called'Triangle of Death' because of the toxic waste burningunderground. He was greeted at the helicopter by ArchbishopTommaso Caputo and the mayor, Ferdinando Uliano. The Pope thenwent into the church for a moment of prayer and to recite aprayer to the Virgin: "Thank you so much for this warm welcome,we all prayed to the Virgin Mary that she may bless us all,you, me and the whole world. We need the Virgin Mary to protectus." With these words the Pope said goodbye after reciting aHail Mary with the crowd that had gathered outside thesanctuary. "I hope to see you soon. Don't forget to pray forme," he said and left the Sanctuary on the same helicopter thathad brought him to Pompeii, accompanied by Mayor Nando Ulianoand Archbishop Tommaso Caputo, the papal legate. The Pope wasthen flown to Scampia, the second stop during his pastoral tourof Naples.. .