Pope: May Rome be its most welcoming, hospitable, and generous during Jubilee

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis crossed the Tiber on Monday morning after accepting an invitation from the mayor of Rome to visit the Capitoline Assembly as the city prepares to welcome the Jubilee Year 2025.

During his speech to the Mayor and his administration, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the excellent collaboration between the Holy See and the Municipality and for the commitment of the latter to prepare the city to best welcome pilgrims.

Rome, he stressed, is a city with a universal spirit “at the service of charity, at the service of hospitality and welcome which extends from pilgrims to tourists, to migrants, to those who are in great difficulty: the poorest, the alone, the sick.” , the prisoners, the excluded” who, he added, “should be the most truthful witnesses of this spirit”.

The Pope delivered his speech in the Hall of Flags after being announced by trumpets upon his arrival at the magnificent Michelangelo-designed Capitoline Square on the hill of the same name. The Capitol – called in Rome the “Campidoglio” is the seat of the municipality; it overlooks the Roman Forum, where Pope Francis and the mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, stopped before the signing of the Book of Honor, the exchange of gifts and the start of the ceremony.

Incredible history of the city of Rome

Highlighting the incredible history of the city, the Holy Father said: “I come to meet you and, through you, the entire city, which, almost since its birth, around 2,800 years ago, has had a vocation clear and constant universality.

Noting that “Ancient Rome, due to its legal development and organizational capabilities, as well as the construction over centuries of strong and lasting institutions, became a beacon to which many peoples turned in search of stability and security.

He defended the many virtues of ancient Roman culture and stressed the need to evolve its values: “This ancient Roman culture, which undoubtedly experienced many good values, also needed to rise up, to confront a message of greater and deeper fraternity, of love. , hope and liberation.

The values ​​of Christianity

Pope Francis emphasized how the spread of Christianity within Roman society, motivated by the testimonies of martyrs and the charity of the first Christian communities; and said Christianity offered individuals radical hope and challenged institutions, like slavery, that were once considered natural and immutable.

The Pope spoke of the transformation from the Rome of the Caesars to the Rome of the Popes and said that despite the changes, the universal vocation of Rome was not only confirmed but elevated, with the Church's mission extending beyond geographical boundaries to proclaim the message of Christ on a global scale.

“Many things have changed, but Rome’s vocation to universality has been confirmed and exalted,” he said.

Lateran Pacts

Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the revision of the Lateran Pacts, Pope Francis said: “The Treaty reaffirmed that the Italian State and the Catholic Church are, “each in its own order, independent and sovereign,” fully committing to respect this principle in their relations and mutual collaboration for the promotion of man and the good of the country.

Inclusivity of the Jubilee Year

So, as Rome prepares for the 2025 Jubilee, the Pope called for the city to be ready to welcome the influx of pilgrims and tourists and said active cooperation between local and national authorities can only benefit to all.

“Even the next Jubilee can have a positive impact on the face of the city, by improving its decorum and making public services more efficient, not only in the center but also by promoting rapprochement between the center and the peripheries,” a- he declared.

Holy Door

Reiterating the universal spirit of Rome, dedicated to charity, hospitality and service to those in need, including the poor, the lonely, the sick, the imprisoned and the excluded, he announced his intention to open a holy door in one of Rome's prisons during the Jubilee Year.

In conclusion, Pope Francis encouraged Rome to continue to show its true, welcoming and noble character.

Jubilee year: a privilege and a responsibility

He acknowledged the challenges posed by the influx of visitors and offered a new perspective for the city, explaining that Rome's immense cultural and historical wealth is both a privilege and a responsibility for its citizens and leaders.

“Each problem it faces is the other side of its greatness and, from a crisis factor, it can become an opportunity for development: civil, social, economic, cultural,” he declared.

Salus Populi Romani

Finally, he called for enhanced cooperation between all governing bodies to honor the providential role of the city and recalled his own devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani.

“Every time I came to Rome, I visited the Salus Populi Romani and asked her to accompany me in my efforts,” the Pope said, invoking her blessing and praying that she could “watch over the city and the people of Rome, infusing hope and inspiring charity.