Shortly after 8:15 a.m., the Holy Father entered to sustained applause. What followed was not a formal procession but a shepherd among his people. He greeted hundreds personally, one by one, blessing children and pausing with the elderly and the sick. Many people shared and offered Pope Leo what they had happily prepared and brought for him with much love. A young engaged couple asked for a blessing on their upcoming marriage; he stopped and prayed over them. The serene, smiling face of Pope Leo, his patient and attentive gaze, and his simple gestures were all deeply human and profoundly pastoral, setting the tone for the entire visit.
The Voice of the Parish
The official welcome came through two catechism children of the parish, who spoke on behalf of the entire community. With clarity and affection, they thanked the Pope for his presence and assured him of the community’s prayers. They described his visit as a grace, especially on the First Sunday of Lent—a season of renewal and conversion.
They highlighted the vibrant life of the parish: catechesis, youth ministry, charitable outreach, the commitment of families and volunteers, and the many initiatives that make the Basilica a welcoming home in a neighborhood marked by constant movement and real human need.
“The Joy of Our Hope”
When Pope Leo XIV spoke, his words were simple and luminous. “Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, the joy of our hope,” he said, thanking the community for its warmth and joy. Even in Lent, he reminded them, there is confidence and light, because “we know that the Lord wants to receive us, wants to welcome us—just like this parish.”
“How beautiful it is to find ourselves in a place where everyone is welcome.” Reflecting on the title Sacred Heart, he invited the faithful to rediscover its meaning: a symbol of love, charity, and a generosity without limits. Looking at the assembly—people of many nations and backgrounds—he spoke of unity and fraternity made possible by Christ’s mercy.
He greeted in a special way “the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters,” recalling the history that began with Don Bosco and Pope Leo XIII—“my predecessor, who was also called Leo,” he added with a smile. But this, he insisted, is not only history remembered.
“Today we are making history,” he said, “because even today we want to live this beautiful tradition of service, of charity, of working with the young.”
His gaze then rested on the children gathered before him: “How beautiful to see all these children here! To live the joy of life! And how beautiful it is to be alive, to have this gift of life that the Lord gives us.”
A Living Heart in the City
After the Mass, the Pope met the members of the Educative Pastoral Community, thanking and encouraging them for their dedication in making the parish a living testimony to the love of the Heart of Jesus.
In a neighborhood beside Termini Station—where thousands pass each day—the Salesian parish continues to be leaven in the dough, a harbor of welcome, and a sign of hope. The Pope’s presence reaffirmed this mission: to be, in the heart of Rome, a heart open to all.
As the morning concluded, the courtyard remained filled with quiet joy. Many had shaken his hand and received his blessing; many others carried home the memory of a close encounter. For all, it was a Sunday marked by proximity, simplicity, and renewed missionary energy—very much in the spirit of Don Bosco.
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/27137-rmg-a-sunday-of-welcome-and-joy-pope-leo-xiv-at-the-sacred-heart-basilica#sigProIdd3074030db
