Pope Leo XIV is the Bishop of Rome and has his own diocese with its different local realities. To stay close to the clergy, religious, and lay faithful, like any prelate, he carries out what are known as pastoral visits.
His first local destination was Ostia, considered the most important among the suburban dioceses of Rome for many reasons, not least of which, the fact that it's the oldest diocese.
But the parish chosen also holds great meaning. It was Santa Maria Regina Pacis, a church commissioned by Pope Benedict XV during the First World War to pray for an end to the conflict — very much a parallel to the messages of peace from Pope Leo XIV.
POPE LEO XIV
I am very happy to begin here, in Ostia. Then in a parish that bears the name of Holy Mary, Queen of Peace, so important in the time we are living through. The parish priest says to offer a word of hope: you are the hope! And you must recognize that in your heart, in your life, in your youth, there is hope—for today and for tomorrow.
During his visit, Pope Leo met with the sick and the elderly, but also with young people and children. He confided in them that he was glad to visit Ostia because the place has Augustinian roots, and he told them they are a true parish community.
POPE LEO XIV
And I must say I truly feel welcome among you! Thank you for this welcome! This is one of the many signs of an authentic Christian community, of a true parish, where all of us learn to say ‘Welcome,’ not only with words, but with a spirit of hospitality—of opening the door and receiving whoever it may be: Catholic, non-Catholic, believer, non-believer… May we always be a welcoming community! And thank you for this example.
And during Mass, the Pope pointed out that evil takes root where the heart is cold and where there is no mercy left.
POPE LEO XIV
This is experienced here as well, in Ostia, where unfortunately violence also exists and causes harm, sometimes taking root among young people and adolescents, perhaps fueled by the use of substances; or carried out by criminal organizations that exploit people by involving them in their crimes and that pursue unjust interests through illegal and immoral methods.
Nearly all the popes since the mid-20th century have passed through this parish: Pope Saint John XXIII, Pope Saint Paul VI, Pope Saint John Paul II, and most recently, Pope Francis in 2015. This is the first of five stops on Pope Leo XIV’s tour of his new diocese.
