The pope met with the priests of Rome the day after Ash Wednesday. These same Roman clergy and religious are considered under his authority—not only because he his the pope but also because he is their local bishop.
In the Paul VI Hall, Pope Leo XIV revealed to them what priority they all share in the Church.
POPE LEO XIV
It is therefore urgent to return to proclaiming the Gospel: this is the priority.
The pope has given much focus to the youth, speaking about how to understand them, especially since they are a part of the Church that can be distant from the faith. This time, he highlighted the importance of knowing how to accompany and work alongside them.
POPE LEO XIV
At the same time, since these challenges affect various dimensions of life, let us also try, as parishes, to dialogue and engage with the institutions present in the area — with schools, with specialists in the field of education and the human sciences, and with all those who care about the destiny and future of our young people.
Just as caring for the young is important, the pope also gave guidance on how to support new priests who are just beginning their pastoral journey. He explained it is essential to prevent fatigue and overwork and to overcome the various difficulties that can lead to isolation.
These meetings are very important for the clergy. It is not a one-on-one with the pope, but with their bishop. This is the second time Pope Leo has met with them. The last time was on June 12, 2025.
