Pope to Rome parish: Everyone can be a builder of peace and reconciliation

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.

Pope Leo XIV visits the Rome parish of Santa Maria della Presentazione (@Vatican Media)

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.

Pope Leo 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.”

Mass in the parish church

During Mass, concelebrated with Cardinal Baldo Reina, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Gospel account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

He said the Gospel speaks to the life of the community and to the challenges present in the area, including situations of marginalisation and material and social hardship. He also noted the concerns affecting young people, including uncertainty about work, housing and safe places for community life.

Many people, he noted, arrive at the parish carrying wounds and seeking hope, and he encouraged the parish community to show the closeness of Jesus and to support those who come in need.

He invited parish activities to reflect the mission of the Church as a mother who welcomes, listens and supports people without condemning or judging them.

Trust in the Lord

Pope Leo XIV concluded his homily by encouraging the faithful to move forward with trust, recalling that the Lord accompanies believers in their daily lives.

He also invited them to rediscover during Lent the grace of Baptism, which introduces Christians to the life of faith.

Meeting with Caritas volunteers

Finally, greeting Caritas volunteers, the Pope thanked them for their service to people who are vulnerable due to age, illness, migration, or poverty.

Every person, he recalled, has value because all are created in the image of God and share the dignity of being sons and daughters of God.

Vatican News
Source: vaticannews.va/en