He too arrived in Cagliari for the Madonna di Bonaria, as did Francesco later. And, before leaving, he left his skullcap, autograph and a golden rose that is normally donated to the most important sanctuaries.
On 7 September 2008, at the conclusion of the celebrations for the first centenary of the proclamation of the Madonna of Bonaria as Sardinia's highest patron, Benedict XVI arrived in Cagliari for an eminently Marian journey, as announced by Vatican Radio.
That Sunday there was a great hustle and bustle in the city and a great mobilization of the forces of order: negotiations are underway for the candidacies in view of the regional elections and, at the rite in front of the Shrine presided over by the Pope, there is also the then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, alongside the mayor of the time, Emilio Floris.
In the celebration, in front of an immense crowd that stands out against the infinite horizon of the Gulf, Benedetto honors the Shrine and all the Sardinians who have in "Our Lady" a bright beacon to look up to. The homage to the Madonna is re-proposed by the Pope with the words of the Ave Maria in Sardinian: «Your Island, dear friends of Sardinia, could have no other protector than the Madonna. She is the Mother, Daughter and Bride par excellence “Sa Mama, Fiza, Isposa de su Signorere”, as you love to sing» . And he concluded: «Mary is the port, refuge and protection for the Sardinian people, who have the strength of the oak within them. Storms pass and this oak resists; the fires rage and it sprouts again; drought comes and it wins again. Let us therefore joyfully renew our consecration to such a caring Mother. The generations of Sardinians, I am sure, will continue to go up to the Sanctuary of Bonaria to invoke the protection of the Virgin. Those who entrust themselves to Our Lady of Bonaria, a merciful and powerful Mother, will never be disappointed. Mary, Queen of Peace and Star of Hope, intercede for us. Amen!".
The meeting with the seminarians and, in the evening, with the young people in Largo Carlo Felice, concluded a day of great religiosity, reflection and prayer, as demonstrated by the speeches that the pontiff made in the regional capital.