Pope Leo XIV marked his first parish visit in the Diocese of Rome by celebrating Mass at Santa Maria Regina Pacis in Ostia Lido, setting the tone for a renewed pastoral outreach across the capital.
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV presided over Mass at Santa Maria Regina Pacis, officially launching a series of parish visits aimed at strengthening local faith communities throughout the Diocese of Rome.
Warm Welcome in Ostia Lido
According to EWTN News, clergy and parishioners warmly received the Holy Father upon his arrival. Before the Mass, Pope Leo XIV personally greeted children and young people, and later met with the elderly, the sick, the poor, and volunteers from Caritas Internationalis.
The visit reflected his pastoral commitment to remaining close to ordinary parish life and to those facing daily hardships.
Faith and Daily Life Must Align
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV stressed that faith cannot be separated from everyday living. He explained that the commandments are not burdens, but a path toward authentic freedom.
The Pope warned that violence often begins in hardened hearts filled with anger and resentment. He called on the faithful to counter these dangers through:
- Persistent prayer
- Faith-based education
- Concrete acts of mercy
Addressing Local Challenges in Ostia
Turning to the specific concerns of the Ostia community, the Pope acknowledged the growing risks faced by young people, including exposure to crime and substance abuse. He encouraged parishioners to actively sow “the good seed of the Gospel” and stand firm against injustice.
He also recalled that Pope Benedict XV granted the church its title during World War I as a symbol of peace — a message that remains urgent today.
A Call for Meekness and Peace
Concluding his message, Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful to confront modern conflicts not with aggression, but with what he described as the “disarming strength of meekness.” He called for sustained prayer for peace and renewed trust in the transforming power of the Gospel.
This first parish visit signals a pastoral priority for closeness, peace-building, and spiritual renewal within Rome’s local communities.