Catholic Mass, the main event marking 300 years since the coronation of an iconic Black Madonna painting, has been served in Częstochowa, a Holy City in Poland's south, with top government officials in attendance.

Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife, the speakers of both houses of Polish parliament and the prime minister, as well as dozens of clergymen and hundreds of Catholics, gathered for the Saturday service.

A papal crown was first installed on the painting on 8 September, 1717, the first time it ever happened outside Rome.

The event three centuries ago drew a crowd of 200,000 Christians, a huge number for the time, and started a tradition of now annual pilgrimages to the site.

The painting depicts the Virgin mother of Jesus and many Polish Catholics refer to her as their queen and mother. (vb)

Source: PAP