Pope Leo XIV made the first parish visit of his papacy Feb. 15, traveling to a district of Rome known for crime and violence and encouraging the faithful to fight “a culture of abuse and injustice” with meekness and evangelization.
The Pontiff began his visit to the Parish of St. Mary Queen of Peace in Ostia by greeting the Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina; the parish priest, Father Giovanni Patané; and those crowded around the parish to meet him, Vatican News reported. The visit is the first of five to different parishes ahead of Easter.
Pope Leo celebrated Mass at the parish as well and drew attention during his homily to the crime rates in the area. He encouraged the community to counteract violence with the Gospel, according to Vatican News. He noted that Ostia’s young people especially are affected by widespread criminal organizations, substance abuse, and violence, and urged the faithful to act “with generosity and courage” to evangelize their communities and homes.
The Pontiff also asked the faithful of Ostia to fight resignation to “a culture of abuse and injustice” by spreading “respect and harmony, beginning by disarming your language and investing energy and resources in education, especially of the young.”
The Pope highlighted the parish’s founding by Pope Benedict XV nearly a century ago, saying that it was established during World War I to be “a ray of light in the leaden sky of war.” He pointed out the challenges of today’s time, saying that ideologies that go against the Gospel are promoting strength and power above all else.
“Let us oppose this drift with the disarming power of meekness, continuing to ask for peace and to welcome and cultivate its gift with perseverance and humility,” he said, according to Vatican News.
Before celebrating Mass, the Pope met with different groups, including the sick, elderly, children, athletes, and the Parish Pastoral Council. While addressing a group of children and young people, Pope Leo encouraged them in their faith saying, “The pastor says I should give a word of hope: you are that hope!”
He continued, “You must recognize that in your hearts, in your lives, in your youth, there is hope — for today and for tomorrow.”
Pope Leo also greeted athletes and the sick and highlighted the importance of sports in reference to the Olympics currently ongoing in Milan and Cortina. He met with the Parish Pastoral Council as well, urging them to build a parish that lives out its faith and builds a true community of disciples.
According to Vatican News, he told them that “the parish must be a place where people can come and be heard.”
“Do not stay inside and say, ‘Those who come are enough,’” he exhorted them. “It is never enough. Invite, welcome, accompany.”