During a March 8 pastoral visit to a parish in Rome, Pope Leo XIV encouraged children and families to repair friendships, reject violence, and become “builders of peace.”
According to Vatican News, the visit to Santa Maria della Presentazione, which is in the Torrevecchia neighborhood, marked the Pontiff’s fourth Lenten trip to a parish on the outskirts of the city. Pope Leo was greeted outside the parish church by families, parishioners, and scouts. The parish priest, Father Paolo Stacchiotti, welcomed the Pope alongside Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar for the Diocese of Rome, and Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, archbishop emeritus of Agrigento.
During a question and answer session with children and young people, several asked the Pope questions about prayer, friendship, and how to support one another in difficult moments.
“Everyone can become a builder of peace,” Pope Leo told them, urging them to reject bullying, violence, and hatred.
The Pope encouraged the children to reconcile with one another when conflicts arise, Vatican News reported.
Pope Leo also entreated children preparing for their First Communion to open their hearts to Christ and encounter Jesus through prayer and acts of charity.
“Jesus comes into our homes, our hearts, and our lives,” he said, inviting them to recognize Christ in those who suffer.
According to Vatican News, the Pope prayed the Our Father with those gathered and greeted families facing economic hardship and parishioners who are elderly or ill before celebrating Mass inside the church.
During the liturgy, Pope Leo reflected on the Gospel account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, saying the passage speaks to the challenges many people face today, such as economic difficulty and struggles affecting young people such as uncertainty about work, housing, and community.
Many people, he said, come to the parish “carrying wounds and seeking hope.” He urged the community to reflect the Church’s mission as a mother who welcomes, listens, and supports people without condemnation.
Following the Mass, the Pope also met with Caritas volunteers serving the parish, thanking them for assisting people affected by poverty, illness, migration, and old age.