“I express the desire and the commitment to listen to everyone, as much as I can, to learn, understand, and decide together,” the Holy Father said from the Basilica Mater omnium Ecclesiarum, mother of all the churches of the city and the world: St. John Lateran.
Echoing the words of John Paul I, Leo XIV said to the citizens: “I can assure you that I love you, that I only wish to be at your service and offer all my humble strength, the little I have and all I am.”
The demanding journey of the Diocese of Rome 476b2r
The day began with a brief ceremony at the Capitol, where he received the homage of the City from Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. Later, at St. John Lateran, the Pope ed through the Holy Door and was welcomed by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome, Cardinal Reina.
In his homily, the Pontiff referred to the community of Antioch, which faced the challenge of opening to the pagan world in announcing the Gospel, showing that “communion is built first of all ‘on our knees,’ in prayer and in a continuous commitment to conversion.” Above all, it is built through listening.
He recalled the “demanding path” the Diocese of Rome is walking in recent years, “structured on various levels of listening”: “Toward the surrounding world, to embrace its challenges, and within communities, to understand needs and promote wise and prophetic initiatives of evangelization and charity.”
As a sign of this, the Pope pointed to “the great work” being carried out by the diocese in preparation for the Jubilee: welcoming and caring for pilgrims, and countless other efforts. “Thanks to so many efforts, the city appears to those arriving, sometimes from far away, as a great open and welcoming home, and above all a home of faith,” said the Bishop of Rome.
Rome seeks hope 6iv62
The final act was his greeting from the central Loggia of the Basilica. “Dear brothers and sisters, community of Rome, I’m very happy to be here with you this evening for this liturgical act. We’ve celebrated the enthronement as your new Bishop of Rome. Thank you all!”
“To live our faith, especially during this Jubilee year, seeking hope, but also being ourselves a witness that offers hope to the world. A world that suffers greatly—so much pain from war, violence, and poverty. But we Christians are always called by the Lord to be this living witness. To live our faith, to feel that Jesus Christ is present in our hearts and to know that He walks with us always.”
“Thank you for walking together,” added the Pope: “Let us walk together, always count on me—I am a Christian with you, and a bishop for you.”
Photo: Vatican Media
