Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV visited the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Ponte Mammolo district of Rome on Sunday afternoon, encouraging the faithful to continue serving as a visible “sign of hope” through their outreach to migrants, the poor, and those living on the margins of society. His visit formed part of his Lenten pastoral visits to the parishes of the Diocese of Rome.
The Holy Father was accompanied by Cardinal Baldo Reina, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome and Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran. The visit marked the fifth stop in the Pope’s series of Lenten parish encounters, which began in February.
During the visit, the Pope returned to a parish that had previously welcomed Pope John Paul II four decades ago. This latest pastoral encounter brought to a close the Holy Father’s Lenten visit to Roman parish communities.
Located in the northeastern outskirts of Rome, the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus serves a neighbourhood facing social and economic challenges. Despite these difficulties, the area is known for its strong spirit of solidarity and community support. The parish territory also includes the nearby Rebibbia Prison, which has long influenced the pastoral and social life of the area.
Upon arrival, the Pope received a warm welcome from children, youth, and families belonging to the parish. He expressed gratitude for their commitment to charitable service and hospitality, describing their work as a powerful sign of hope in a world increasingly marked by suffering, violence, and uncertainty.
Addressing those gathered, the Pope highlighted the parish’s many initiatives, including the efforts of Caritas, support programs for migrants, care for the sick, and assistance to individuals facing unemployment, housing struggles, and other hardships.
Speaking to the faithful, Pope Leo XIV praised the parish community for creating a welcoming environment that reflects the compassion of the Gospel.
“You have built a community that truly knows how to welcome others,” he said, noting that such compassion becomes a visible sign of hope in a world often burdened by pain.
The Pope shared a conversation he had shortly before leaving his residence. A woman had expressed deep despair about the state of the world, saying she could no longer see signs of hope.
“She told me that hope seemed to have disappeared from the world,” the Pope recalled. “She was deeply distressed by the reality of war and wondered where she could turn after losing everything.”
In response, the Pope explained that communities rooted in faith can become living witnesses of hope.
“We who believe in Jesus Christ and live as brothers and sisters can become that sign of hope, even where it seems to have vanished,” he said.
The Pope also greeted people watching from balconies and rooftops outside the church, reminding them that the Church remains open to all.
“Everyone is invited and everyone is called,” he said, emphasizing that the parish is a family that welcomes all who seek the love and salvation of Christ.
Before celebrating Mass, the Pope met with elderly parishioners and individuals living with disabilities. During the encounter, he reflected on the joy of Christian fraternity and the Lenten call to keep one’s doors open to others.
He also praised Roman parishes that provide services to help integrate migrants and foreigners, urging communities to resist attitudes of exclusion and instead embrace the Gospel’s call to welcome strangers.
The Holy Father also spoke about the growing problem of loneliness, noting that many people today find themselves without companionship or support.
A parish inspired by the Heart of Jesus, he said, should become a place where people can discover a family and experience genuine love and care.
The pastoral visit concluded with the celebration of Holy Mass attended by priests and faithful from the neighbourhood.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Gospel story of Jesus healing the man born blind. He explained that Christ brings a light capable of freeing humanity from the “blindness of evil” and guiding people toward a renewed life.
The Pope also addressed the suffering caused by conflicts around the world, stressing that war cannot resolve disputes. He warned against invoking God’s name to justify violence, reminding believers that God calls humanity to peace.
According to the Pope, those who seek God must pursue peace through dialogue and reconciliation.
Reflecting further on the Gospel message, he said that seeing with “the eyes of God” means overcoming prejudice and recognizing the dignity of those who suffer rather than treating them as problems to be avoided. Christians, he added, are called to respond with prayer, compassion, and solidarity.
He commended the parish community for its service to vulnerable groups, including migrants, the poor, and people connected with the nearby Rebibbia prison. The faithful were encouraged to continue living as “children of the light” through acts of charity, education, and care for those in need.
Following the Mass, Pope Leo XIV met with the parish Pastoral Council and later with the priests who serve in the parish.
Addressing the council members, the Pope praised their dedication and sacrifices in supporting the parish’s mission. Reflecting on the spiritual meaning of Lent, he spoke about the symbolism of baptismal water as a sign of purification and renewal, encouraging believers to deepen their relationship with Christ through charity and conversion.
He also reminded them that the parish is called to be the “heart” of the neighbourhood mirroring the Sacred Heart of Jesus by becoming a living expression of God’s love, particularly in a community facing social challenges.
Before departing for the Vatican, the Pope expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parish community for their witness of faith and service.
He thanked the parish priest and all those who contribute to the life of the community, describing their parish as a genuine testimony of God’s love in the city of Rome.
Encouraging residents to see the parish as a place where they can encounter God’s love within the Christian family, the Pope also recalled that the community had last received a papal visit forty years ago from Pope John Paul II. He expressed hope that the next visit would not take so long.
Concluding his visit on the joyful occasion of Laetare Sunday, Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to rejoice and continue living as a sign of hope for others before imparting his apostolic blessing.