Pope Francis yesterday made his fourth parish visit to a Rome diocese, visiting “Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio”.
Faithful from the parish, including children, parents, newlyweds and young families happily greeted the Holy Father upon his arrival.
The Holy Father also met with several homeless people who live near the main train station of Rome, Termini, as well as a group of refugees.
After confessing five people from the parish, the Holy Father celebrated the Eucharist. Pope Francis echoed his earlier remarks prior to the Angelus, reflecting on the imagery of Christ as the “Lamb of God.”
“Jesus is called the Lamb: He is the Lamb Who takes upon Himself the sin of the world,” he said. “One might think, how can a little lamb, so weak, take on so many sins, so much malice? With love. With his meekness. Jesus never ceased to be a lamb: meek, good, full of love, close to the little ones, close to the poor.”
The 77 year-old Pontiff encouraged the faithful to not lose hope in the mercy of God, who sent Jesus with “the strength to bear the weight of all our sins, all of them.”
“He came for this: to forgive, to make peace in the world, but first in hearts. Perhaps each one of us has something that is tormenting him in his heart, perhaps he has darkness in his heart, perhaps he feels a bit sad because of a sin,” he continued.
“He came to take all this away; He gives us peace. He forgives everything. ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away sin’: He takes the sin away with the root and all! This is the salvation of Jesus, with His love and His meekness. And being what John the Baptist says of Him, who gives witness of Jesus as Savior, we must grow in trust in Jesus.”
The Pope invited the faithful to place their trust in God, saying that it is gamble that we must take. Addressing the boys and girls present, the Pope also called on them to believe that Christ would not disappoint them.
“Listen carefully, boys and girls, those of you who are starting out in life now: Jesus never disappoints,” he said.
After the Mass, the Holy Father met with the Salesian community in charge of the parish and the Missionary Sisters of the Risen Christ. Before returning to the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke to the youth of the parish.
