On Feb. 25, 2025, Pope Francis paved the way for several new saints, including ex-satanist and promulgator of the Rosary, Blessed Bartolo Longo.
Blessed Bartolo Longo promulgated the Rosary in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.
He unearthed a tattered, second-hand painting from a convent in Naples, which portrayed the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus holding rosaries and accompanied by Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Siena.
Although this dilapidated painting was eventually restored by Blessed Bartolo, this very depiction of Our Lady of the Rosary also resulted in the miraculous healing of the young Fortuna Agrelli years later.
Who was Barolo Longo?
Bartolo Longo was a devout layman and lawyer. Although he was raised Catholic, he lost his faith in college.
Becoming heavily involved with the practice of spiritualism and the occult, Bartolo did all in his power to undermine Catholicism. This left him with nothing but anxiety and depression, sending him into the dark depths of despair.
Bartolo eventually sought help and was directed to Father Alberto Radente, a Dominican priest deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary.
With a newfound sense of peace, Bartolo completely abandoned his old ways and desired to do everything he could to bring others closer to the fullness of truth and help the poor.
In 1871, he became a Third Order Dominican and was given the name "Brother Rosario" in honor of the Rosary.
While traveling to Pompeii in 1872 to help a wealthy countess named Marianna de Fusco with some legal matters, Bartolo was immediately struck by the state of the city.
Many had abandoned their Catholic faith, the church building required urgent repair, poverty prevailed and many locals stopped attending Sunday Mass.
Bartolo then discovered his true mission: he was to bring Catholicism back to life in the ancient city of Pompeii.
By restoring the dilapidated church and the old portrait of Our Lady obtained from Naples, inaugurating a Confraternity of the Rosary, sponsoring a festival in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, opening charities, helping orphans, the sick and the poor, Bartolo rekindled the faith of many.
Like a city awakening from its slumber, the faith of the people of Pompeii was brought back to life.
Today, the restored Church has been declared a Pontifical Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii.
In 1979, Pope John Paul II went on a pilgrimage to Pompeii. He later beatified Bartolo Longo on October 26, 1980. Millions flock to the shrine every year, as many miracles are attributed to Our Lady of Pompeii.