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Pope Leo XIV Begins Lenten Parish Visits
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Regina Pacis in Ostia Lido on Sunday, marking his first parish visit in the Diocese of Rome during Lent.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Regina Pacis in Ostia Lido on Sunday, marking his first parish visit in the Diocese of Rome during Lent. The pontiff celebrated Mass and delivered a homily, emphasizing the importance of living a life in accordance with faith.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV expressed joy at being with the community and encouraged them to continue working with 'generosity and courage' to spread the Gospel in their neighborhood. He also highlighted the need to oppose violence and injustice with 'the disarming strength of meekness.'
The pope addressed the realities of violence and substance abuse affecting young people in Ostia, urging the community to remain steadfast in their faith and to foster hope in areas marked by poverty and social hardship.
Cardinal Reina, the Vicar General of Rome, noted that the pope's presence would help to shed light on the community, emphasizing that Ostia is more than just its struggles with crime and organized crime.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Santa Maria Regina Pacis was part of a series of pastoral visits planned for Lent, with the pontiff set to visit five parishes in total. The Vicariate of Rome announced the program on October 28, marking the beginning of a series of pastoral visits.
During the visit, Pope Leo XIV also met with families, young people, and members of the local community, encouraging parishes to reflect the caring presence of the Church in society.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Regina Pacis, located in the seaside community of Ostia, has a rich history, including an American connection through the Irish Pallottines who collected funds to complete the church.
The parish community of Ostia Lido expressed excitement about the visit, with parishioner Daniele Libertini noting that the community was thrilled beyond just their parish.
Pope Leo XIV's visit comes at a time when many Catholics are drawing closer to the Church, despite challenges such as material poverty and limited access to education.
The Diocese of Rome announced that Pope Leo XIV will visit five Catholic parishes in Rome during Lent, continuing a tradition of papal engagement with local communities.
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Santa Maria Regina Pacis marks the beginning of a series of pastoral visits planned for Lent, with the pontiff set to visit five parishes in total. This continues a tradition of papal engagement with local communities, as seen during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, who visited 317 of 333 parishes.
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
- Pope Leo XIV visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Regina Pacis in Ostia Lido on Sunday, marking his first parish visit in the Diocese of Rome during Lent. The pontiff celebrated Mass and delivered a homily, emphasizing the importance of living a life in accordance with faith.
- The pope addressed the realities of violence and substance abuse affecting young people in Ostia, urging the community to remain steadfast in their faith and to foster hope in areas marked by poverty and social hardship.
- Cardinal Reina, the Vicar General of Rome, noted that the pope's presence would help to shed light on the community, emphasizing that Ostia is more than just its struggles with crime and organized crime.
- Pope Leo XIV's visit to Santa Maria Regina Pacis was part of a series of pastoral visits planned for Lent, with the pontiff set to visit five parishes in total. The Vicariate of Rome announced the program on October 28, marking the beginning of a series of pastoral visits.
- During the visit, Pope Leo XIV also met with families, young people, and members of the local community, encouraging parishes to reflect the caring presence of the Church in society.
- The Basilica of Santa Maria Regina Pacis, located in the seaside community of Ostia, has a rich history, including an American connection through the Irish Pallottines who collected funds to complete the church.
- The parish community of Ostia Lido expressed excitement about the visit, with parishioner Daniele Libertini noting that the community was thrilled beyond just their parish.
- Pope Leo XIV's visit comes at a time when many Catholics are drawing closer to the Church, despite challenges such as material poverty and limited access to education.
- The Diocese of Rome announced that Pope Leo XIV will visit five Catholic parishes in Rome during Lent, continuing a tradition of papal engagement with local communities.
What's still developing
- The pope said such realities are felt “also here, in Ostia,” where violence can wound, sometimes taking hold among young people and adolescents, “perhaps fueled by the use of substances,” or through criminal organizations that exploit people and draw them into wrongdoing.
- “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.
- The document is signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state, and amends Articles 62 §3, 68 §2, and 68 §4 of the Regulations for Personnel of the Roman Curia.
- The new wording states that the commission shall act in determining certain disciplinary sanctions, “with the exception of suspension for a period of up to 30 days.” As a result, shorter suspensions will no longer require the commission’s involvement, while more serious sanctions will continue to be examined by the body.
- Pope John Paul II, for instance, visited 317 of 333 parishes during his pontificate.
- 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 main event of the Holy Father’s stop in Cusco will, in fact, be a “Meeting with the Faithful and Representatives of Popular Devotion” at the Saqsaywaman National Archaeological Park.
- “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.
- 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.
- “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.