Amleto Cardinal Cicognani served as apostolic delegate to the United States from 1933 to 1958 and as Cardinal Secretary of State from 1958 to 1973 under Pope John XXIII and Paul VI. While serving in the United States, he frequently visited this historical sanctuary on private pilgrimages, often bringing flowers to present to Our Lady in thanksgiving. His devotion inspired a vision of the grotto being accessible to the general public, and in October 1958 he encouraged Msgr. Hugh J. Philips, chaplain of the grotto, to develop and enhance the entire grotto area and facilities. From his office in Rome as secretary of state, he continued this interest by arranging a rich grant of indulgences for shrine pilgrims. Pope Paul VI instructed that the prayer, “O Mary, Virgin and Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me”, be added to the requirements for gaining the indulgences. In 1963, he approved the title of the grotto to be The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1965, Pope John Paul VI requested Lawrence Cardinal Shehan to designate the grotto a public oratory. Cardinal Cicognani's devotion to this shrine continued until his death in 1973.