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Pope Leo XIV Visits Roman Parish During Lent
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV visited the Santa Maria Regina Pacis parish in Ostia Lido on Sunday, marking his first parish visit in the Diocese of Rome during his pontificate.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Santa Maria Regina Pacis parish in Ostia Lido on Sunday, marking his first parish visit in the Diocese of Rome during his pontificate.
During the Mass, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of living a life that aligns with one's faith, urging the parish community to continue working with 'generosity and courage' to spread the Gospel.
The pope also addressed the issue of violence in the community, noting that it can affect young people and adolescents, sometimes fueled by substance use or criminal organizations.
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar general of Rome, highlighted the significance of the visit, stating that Rome is the Church that 'presides in charity,' according to St. Ignatius of Antioch.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Santa Maria Regina Pacis is part of a series of five parish visits planned for February and March, continuing a tradition of papal engagement with local communities.
The Vicariate of Rome announced the program on October 28, and the pope’s recent clearance by doctors after a cancer diagnosis means these visits will likely be a focus of his activities in the coming months.
The 'One Million Children Praying the Rosary' initiative, which began in Venezuela in 2005, has since grown into a worldwide prayer movement involving children, families, parishes, schools, and Church groups on every continent.
Pope Leo XIV invited the children to imagine 'fifty million Hail Marys' rising to heaven 'from everywhere and in all the languages of the earth,' united like a great Rosary crown encompassing continents, peoples, and nations.
The pope’s visit to Santa Maria Regina Pacis also included a call for renewed prayer for peace and opposition to violence and injustice with 'the disarming strength of meekness.'
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Santa Maria Regina Pacis is the first of five planned visits to Roman parishes during Lent, 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 will visit five parishes in Rome during Lent, continuing a tradition of papal engagement with local communities.
What's confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV will visit five Catholic parishes of Rome in February and March, in continuity with his predecessors, the Diocese of Rome announced Friday.
- Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar general of Rome, said last year there were 8,020 priests and deacons in the diocese, of whom 809 were permanent Rome diocesan priests, and most of the remaining were part of religious communities or doing advanced studies.
- The Vicariate of Rome announced the program on Wednesday, October 28.
- The “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” initiative began in Venezuela in 2005 and has since grown into a worldwide prayer movement involving children, families, parishes, schools and Church groups on every continent.
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.
- ANALYSIS: Having been cleared for duty by his doctors after his recent cancer diagnosis, the Pope will soon need to make some big decisions over who will lead the Curia.
- John Paul II managed to visit 317 of 333 parishes throughout his long pontificate.
- “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.
- Through parishes, schools, hospitals, and charitable works, Christians are called to “put the Gospel into practice” by welcoming and supporting those in need.
- The Pope highlighted the “vast and complex reality” they face in the 17 countries under their jurisdiction, which are marked by “political, social, and religious tensions.” He urged them to continue their mission despite the small size of their communities and the hardships endured by the people under their care.
- The gathering will begin at 5pm local time, with Pope Leo XIV joining the youngsters later to pray the Rosary.
- Bishop James Golka of Colorado Springs will replace retiring Archbishop of Denver Samuel Aquila starting in March, Pope Leo XIV announced Saturday.
- 25, his 75th birthday, after 13 years overseeing metro Denver’s more than 600,000 Catholics, 148 parishes and 31 Catholic schools.
- The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe rejoiced with the Church as Pope Leo XIV announced the appointment of Br.
- The Diocese of El Yunque, as it is alternatively known, encompasses 21 parishes across 10 municipalities.
- Pope Leo XIV joined hundreds of children at the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens Photo: Vatican Media The initiative runs from 1 to 7 October and unites children, families, schools, parishes, and communities around the world in a single prayer. (ZENIT News / Vatican City, 09.30.2026).- Pope Leo XIV joined hundreds of children at the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens on Thursday, 1 October, to pray the Rosary for peace, launching a global week of prayer as part of “One Million Children Praying the Rosary”, an international initiative promoted by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).