Pope Francis pays a visit to St Monica on her feast day

By Vatican News

On Thursday evening, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, communicated that earlier in the afternoon, Pope Francis went to visit the Basilica of St Augustine in Campo Marzio.

He spent some time in prayer in the Chapel of St Monica, Augustine's mother, in front of St Monica's tomb.

Pope Francis then returned to the Vatican.

This is not the first time Pope Francis has gone to the Basilica to pray before the tomb of St Monica. 

Exactly two years ago today, on returning from his Apostolic Journey to Ireland, he also went to the Basilica of St Augustine to pray before St Monica's tomb after paying a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, as is his custom.

His visit to Ireland included his participation in the Festival of Families, part of the World Meeting of Families.