His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Rome Parish: Everyone can be a builder of peace and reconciliation
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV visits the Rome parish of Santa Maria della Presentazione (@Vatican Media)
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV continues his Pastoral visits to parishes in the peripheries of Rome, travelling to the Santa Maria della Presentazione parish in the Torrevecchia neighbourhood. The visit marks his fourth to a Roman parish since mid-February.
Vatican News
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV undertook a pastoral visit to the Parish of Santa Maria della Presentazione in the western neighbourhood of Torrevecchia on Sunday afternoon, his penultimate such engagement to a Roman Parish marking the season of Lent.
He was welcomed in the square outside the church by parishioners, families and groups of children preparing for First Communion, together with scouts and youth groups. The Parish Priest, Father Paolo Stacchiotti, greeted the Pope along with Cardinal Baldo Reina, vicar for the Diocese of Rome, and Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, Archbishop emeritus of Agrigento.
Meeting with children and young people
Upon his arrival, he engaged in a meeting with children and young people who addressed the Pope with questions and letters. They asked for advice on preparing to meet Jesus and on supporting one another during difficult moments.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV encouraged them to reject violence and division and to work for reconciliation.
Everyone, he said, can become a builder of peace!
He also invited children to reconcile with friends when conflicts arise and to reject bullying and every form of violence and hatred.
Preparing to meet Jesus
Speaking to the children preparing for First Communion, the Pope referred to a book he had read shortly before leaving home, Qualcuno bussa al tuo cuore by Mario Delpini and the bishops of Lombardy, a text on prayer and vocation, and he invited them to open their hearts to Christ.
Jesus, he said, comes into people’s homes, hearts and lives, and believers are called to welcome Him.
The Pope also encouraged them to speak with Jesus in prayer and to recognise Him in people who suffer and in acts of charity and friendship.
Prayer and meeting with families
The encounter concluded with the recitation of the Our Father. Afterwards, the Pope greeted families facing economic difficulties and people who are ill before entering the church for the celebration of Mass.
Taking his time to meet with elderly and sick parishioners, the Pope thanked them for their welcome. He noted the presence of the cardinals accompanying him and quipped that their gathering resembled a “small conclave”…
This report was originally published on the Website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text.