Pope Francis had lunch with ten Roman priests on Holy Thursday, the day when the Church celebrates the institution of the Eucharist and the ministerial priesthood.
Shortly before the lunch, the Pope visited the home of the Archbishop Angelo Becciu, substitute of the Secretariat of State, where he spent over an hour and a half with pastors and priests of Rome who earlier had attended the Chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
On Holy Thursday Last year, just days after his election as Pope, Francis hosted lunch for seven Rome priests.
Yesterday’s meeting, from 1pm to 2.30pm, took place in an atmosphere of “simple cordiality”, L’Osservatore Romano reported. “In this way, the bishop of Rome was able to learn more about the experiences of some of his priests, especially those engaged in particularly difficult situations,» the newspaper said. “The ten spoke about their reality and Pope Francis listened carefully to what was reported to him, encouraging the priests in their mission.»
