Pope Leo XIV visits the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome’s Ponte Mammolo district. Encouraging the community to remain a “sign of hope,” he praises its outreach to migrants, the poor, and prisoners, and called for openness, solidarity and peace in a world marked by suffering and conflict.
Vatican News On Sunday afternoon, Pope Leo XIV visited the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome’s Ponte Mammolo neighbourhood, marking the fifth stage of his Lenten visits to parish communities of the Diocese of Rome. He was accompanied on the visit by Cardinal Baldo Reina, Vicar General for the diocese of Rome and Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran. With this visit, the Pope returned to a parish that was visited forty years ago by Pope John Paul II. The encounter also concluded the first series of pastoral visits to Roman parishes that began in February. The Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is located in a northeastern suburb of Rome marked by social challenges but also by a strong network of solidarity. The parish territory includes the nearby Rebibbia Prison, a presence that has long shaped the life of the neighbourhood. A warm welcome from the community The Pope arrived in the afternoon and was welcomed by children, young people and families from the parish community. He thanked them for their witness of charity and hospitality, describing their service as a “sign of hope” in a world marked by suffering and war. Addressing the first group to welcome him, Pope Leo highlighted the community’s many initiatives, including the work of Caritas, assistance to migrants, support for the sick, and outreach to people experiencing unemployment, housing difficulties and other forms of hardship. A living sign of hope “As a parish, you have created a community that truly knows how to welcome,” the Pope said, noting that such care becomes a visible sign of hope in a world often marked by pain. He shared a story from shortly before leaving his residence, recalling the words of a woman who expressed deep anguish about the state of the world. “She said that in the world there are no longer signs of hope,” he said. “She was suffering because of the war and asked herself, ‘Where can I go now?’ She had lost everything.” In such a situation, he continued, a parish community can become a living witness of hope. “We who believe in Jesus Christ and live united as brothers and sisters can be that sign of hope, even where such signs seem to have disappeared. You represent this infinite love.” The Pope also greeted people who were unable to enter the church and were watching from balconies and rooftops. “Everyone is invited, everyone is called,” he said, highlighting the fact that the parish represents a family open to all, ready to share the salvation and love of Jesus Christ. Encounter with the elderly and the sick Before celebrating Mass, the Pope met with elderly people and persons with disabilities. During the meeting, he spoke about the joy of being brothers and sisters and recalled the Lenten call to keep doors open to everyone. He thanked the many Roman parishes that offer services to support the integration of foreigners and encouraged communities to resist attitudes of exclusion, recalling the Gospel invitation to welcome the stranger. The Pope also spoke about the suffering caused by loneliness, noting that many people find themselves alone without someone to accompany them on their journey through life. A parish that reflects the heart of Jesus, he said, should be a place where everyone can find a family and experience authentic charity. Christ brings light to the world The visit culminated in the celebration of Holy Mass with the priests and faithful of the neighbourhood. In his homily, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Gospel account of Jesus healing the man born blind, saying that Christ brings a light capable of freeing humanity from the “blindness of evil” and opening the path to new life. The Pope also spoke about the suffering caused by violent conflicts around the world, stressing that war cannot resolve disputes and warning against invoking God to justify violence. God, he said, brings light, hope and peace, and those who call upon Him must seek peace through dialogue. Reflecting on the Gospel, he added that seeing with “the eyes of God” means overcoming prejudice and recognising the dignity of those who suffer, rather than treating them as problems to avoid. Christians, he said, are called to respond with charity, prayer and solidarity. The Pope praised the parish community for its service to the poor, migrants and other vulnerable people, including outreach linked to the nearby Rebibbia prison. He encouraged the faithful to continue their witness as “children of the light” through service, education and care for those in need. At the end of the celebration, Pope Leo XIV met with the parish pastoral council and later with the priests who serve and live in the parish. Before returning to the Vatican, he greeted the faithful gathered outside the church. The Parish called to be heart of the community Speaking to the parish Pastoral Council, Pope Leo XIV praised the dedication of those actively involved in parish life, noting the sacrifices and service offered across the community. He reflected on the parish’s Lenten journey and the symbolism of baptismal water, highlighting the need for spiritual purification and charity in drawing closer to Christ. The Pope also explained that the parish’s mission in the neighbourhood includes outreach to the poor, migrants, and the nearby Rebibbia prison. He noted that the parish is called to be the heart - the Sacred Heart - of the community, a living witness of God’s love in Rome, even amid complex social challenges. Words of thanks and encouragement Before boarding his vehicle to return to the Vatican, Pope Leo had words of gratitude for the parish community, thanking the faithful for their presence and for their witness of faith and charity. He described belonging to the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a genuine testimony of God’s love in the city of Rome and expressed appreciation to the parish priest and to all those who collaborate in the life of the community. He also encouraged residents of the neighbourhood to recognise the parish as a place where they can encounter the love of God within the Christian family. Recalling that the parish had last received a papal visit forty years earlier from Pope John Paul II, the Pope said he hoped that another visit would not take so long. Concluding on the joyful note of Laetare Sunday, he invited the faithful to rejoice and to continue living as a sign of hope for others before imparting his blessing. Article updated at 20:40