Pope Leo XIV visits the Parish of the Ascension in Rome, inspiring hope, unity, and peace during heartfelt meetings with parishioners.
Newsroom (02/03/2026 Gaudium Press ) On the Second Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited the Parish of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Rome, marking a deeply moving encounter with a vibrant community of faith. Over the course of the visit, the Holy Father met with children, the sick and elderly, and members of the Parish Pastoral Council before offering his final greeting to parishioners gathered outside. The visit, filled with moments of warmth and prayer, underscored his pontificate’s enduring themes—peace, community, and the transforming power of faith.
Meeting with the Children: “Always Choose Good”
In a spirited meeting on the parish sports field, Pope Leo XIV was greeted with cheers from children, youth, and families. Smiling warmly, he thanked the Dehonian Fathers, parish staff, and volunteers before delivering a message that combined simplicity and depth.
“The name of your parish, ‘Ascension,’ says a lot,” he said. “Because Jesus brings the best of our humanity to the Father in heaven.” He reminded young people that, despite the presence of evil in the world, love always prevails—and that every act of kindness strengthens the community.
With heartfelt directness, the Pope urged the children to reject violence and embrace peace. “We can make a difference by always choosing good,” he said, noting that free will is both a gift and a responsibility. He called on the youth of the Magis movement to serve as examples of hope and courage, stressing their role as “builders of peace” in a world wounded by conflict. Referring to ongoing suffering in the Middle East, he implored them to “pray for peace and seek ways to live in unity, saying no to harm and yes to reconciliation.”
He also addressed the global tragedy of homeless and orphaned children, recalling those caught in recent wars in Gaza. “This is truly a tragedy among us,” he said. “We must be promoters of peace, seeking solutions not through violence, but through dialogue.” His message to all was unequivocal: “Always say no to what is harmful—and yes to what is beneficial.”
As the meeting concluded, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude to local clergy, lay collaborators, and religious sisters for their service. “May this parish be a light,” he said, “teaching love and courage to say yes to Christ and no to evil.”
Meeting with the Sick and Elderly: Strength in Community
Later that afternoon, the Pope met with the parish’s sick, elderly, and caregivers—those he described as the “living heart” of the Church. Listening to testimonies and sharing blessings, he praised them for their silent strength and faith.
“There is a great treasure in the word ‘community,’” he said. “When we come together with our weaknesses, disabilities, and sufferings, we become stronger—because the strength comes from the love of God.”
The Pope urged the faithful to extend their prayers for peace beyond distant battlefields, bringing them home to their neighborhoods and families. “It is important that the voice of the parish wake up the authorities, who often could do more to help,” he said, encouraging believers to be vocal advocates for the marginalized and to “build a community where no one is left behind.”
Before blessing those gathered, Pope Leo XIV led the assembly in the recitation of the Our Father, imparting his apostolic blessing “with confidence in God’s grace and the strength of love found in unity.”
Meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council: “Let’s Build Community”
In his meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for their service and remarked that he felt “completely at home.” Gesturing toward an image of the Madonna of Good Counsel, he reflected on the importance of Marian devotion as “a sign of the Mother who always accompanies her children.”
He praised the parish for being “a community of faith that is strong and tough,” a beacon in a neighborhood with evident social challenges. The Council’s motto—Let’s build community—resonated deeply with him. “This is truly great,” he said. “It is the spirit of communion that Jesus wanted for his Church.”
The Pope cautioned against individualistic spirituality, emphasizing instead the collective journey of believers. “No one should feel alone,” he insisted. “When we visit the elderly and the sick, when we walk together, we are living exactly what Jesus wanted.”
In closing, he imparted his blessing and encouraged the parish to keep moving “always forward,” continuing to live the Gospel in action.
A Farewell of Light
As he departed, darkness had fallen over the parish grounds—but Pope Leo XIV’s tone remained radiant. Standing before a crowd illuminated by street lamps and camera flashes, he expressed heartfelt gratitude for their hospitality.
“They say that those who go out at night carry the light within them,” he said. “Christ has given that light to each of us through faith—the light that guides us and helps us be witnesses.”
Thanking the parish once more for their example, the Pope imparted a final exhortation: “Continue with courage and conviction to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth. God bless you always.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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