THIS GESTURE BY THE PONTIFF IN HIS DIOCESE, HELD ON THE FIRST THURSDAY OF THE LENTEN SEASON, HAS ALREADY BECOME A TRADITION.
Newsroom(02/02/2025 13:44, Gaudium Press) On Thursday, March 6, Pope Francis will meet with the priests of the Diocese of Rome in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
The information was released by the Diocese of Rome, which explained in a press release that this gesture has already become a tradition: the Pontiff’s visit on the first Thursday of the Lenten season.
In 2024, Pope Francis held a series of meetings with the clergy of his diocese, dialoguing with priests with more than 40 years of ministry and also with priests ordained less than ten years ago.
Priests’ challenges and difficulties
Between September 2023 and the beginning of May 2024, the Holy Father visited various districts of Rome to meet parish priests and hear from them about the challenges, difficulties, but also the riches, rewards and good works of this diocese which, according to Francis, has become “mission territory”.
On the occasion, the Pope spoke with the priests about various topics, including: closeness to the people; service to the sick and elderly; and the beauties and weaknesses of the Diocese of Rome. With the younger priests, Francis spoke about the experiences of their first years in the priesthood. (EPC)
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
