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Pope Leo XIV Begins Lenten Parish Visits in Rome
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV began his Lenten visits to five Roman parishes on Sunday, starting with the Basilica of Santa Maria Regina Pacis in Ostia Lido, where he celebrated Mass and addressed the community.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV expressed joy at being with the parish community and emphasized the importance of living the Gospel in daily life.
The pontiff urged the parish to continue working with 'generosity and courage' to spread the Gospel in the neighborhood, highlighting the need to oppose violence and injustice with 'the disarming strength of meekness.'
Pope Leo XIV also addressed the issue of violence in Ostia, noting that it can wound and sometimes takes hold among young people and adolescents, possibly fueled by substance use or criminal organizations.
Cardinal Reina, the Vicar General of Rome, said the pope’s presence would help shed light on these areas and show that Ostia is more than just its reputation for crime and Mafia organizations.
Parishioner Daniele Libertini expressed excitement about the visit, noting that the community is looking forward to the pope’s presence.
The Vicariate of Rome announced the program on Wednesday, October 28, marking the beginning of a series of pastoral visits for Lent.
Pope Leo XIV’s visits are particularly significant given his recent health challenges, and they continue a tradition of papal engagement with local communities.
The pope’s visit to Santa Maria Regina Pacis is the first Roman parish visit during his pontificate.
The Diocese of Rome announced that Pope Leo XIV will visit five Catholic parishes in Rome during Lent, following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II, who visited 317 of 333 parishes during his pontificate.
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Santa Maria Regina Pacis marks the first Roman parish visit during his pontificate, continuing a tradition of papal engagement with local communities.
Background
Pope Leo XIV will visit five parishes in Rome during Lent, continuing a tradition of papal engagement with local communities.
Pope Leo XIV started his Lenten visits to five Roman parishes, beginning with Santa Maria Regina Pacis in Ostia Lido.
What's confirmed
- “Through these parishes, our entire diocese is celebrating,” Cardinal Reina said.
- “Welcoming him on the feast day is an even greater gift from the Lord and the Virgin Mary.” Two days later, on Sunday, November 29, Pope Leo will visit San Carlo da Sezze, in the southern sector.
- Pope Leo XIV will visit five Roman parishes between November 27 and December 20, meeting local communities and celebrating Mass as part of a series of pastoral visits for Advent.
- “The pope’s presence will help to shed light on these somewhat shady areas, but also to show that Ostia is not only what is often reported about crime and Mafia organizations, but that there is also a lot of good,” the priest said.
- Pope Leo XIV on Sunday will travel outside the Vatican to visit a Roman parish — the Basilica of Santa Maria Regina Pacis — in the seaside community of Ostia, about 17 miles southwest of the city’s center.
- “The community of Ostia is really so excited, not just our parish,” parishioner Daniele Libertini said.
What's still developing
- “The Bishop of Rome is the Pope because here in Rome, in this very city, 2,000 years ago, the apostles, Peter and Paul, preached the good news,” he explains, recalling that both apostles were martyred in the city and that their tombs remain in Rome.
- The changes were approved by the pontiff on Oct. 19 through a “Rescriptum ex Audientia Sanctissimi,” a Latin expression referring to a decision or provision approved by the pope following an audience granted to a curial official or ecclesiastical authority.
- He emphasized the importance of closeness, charity, and concrete service, urging parish communities to become places of hope—especially in neighborhoods marked by poverty and social hardship.
- More than 700 children from schools and parishes in Rome joined Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens on Thursday to pray the rosary for peace in the world, marking the start of a global week of prayer.
- The first visit, on Friday, November 27, will take Pope Leo to Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, in the central sector, on the Feast of the Miraculous Medal, which draws thousands of faithful each year.
- Antonio Panico said the Pope’s visit would be “an occasion of joy and a moment of ecclesial communion” and a source of grace and celebration for the whole community.
- The Holy See press office said Oct. 30 that the pope had approved three changes to the Regulations for the Staff of the Roman Curia during an Oct. 19 audience with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.