(ZENIT News / Rome, 10.25.2024).- At the heart of Rome, in the grand Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Francis addressed a gathering on Friday, October 25, challenging Rome’s community to tackle the deep inequalities that persist in the city. With sincerity and conviction, the Pope shared his vision for a united approach to poverty, joblessness, and the struggles facing countless Romans.
The evening began with the voice of a young student, Mariagrazia, from Tor Bella Monaca’s Amaldi high school. Her words echoed a simple yet profound realization: «True happiness comes when we bring happiness to others.» She offered these words to Pope Francis, who listened warmly, embracing her youthful hope.
The gathering showcased the results of a project titled “(Dis)uguaglianze” ((In)equalities), inspired by a 50-year-old convention addressing Rome’s social issues. As Pope Francis spoke, he painted a vivid image of a fractured city: food wasted while families go hungry, empty spaces alongside those sleeping on the streets, and young people unable to find work. These stark contradictions, he warned, risk reducing Rome to a «city in shreds.»
When Pope Francis entered the basilica, a standing ovation greeted him as he arrived in a wheelchair, accompanied by the stirring sounds of the diocesan choir. His speech emphasized three paths forward for Rome: *bringing good news to the poor, mending divisions, and planting seeds of hope.* In an impromptu call to action, he urged his audience to look into the eyes of those in need, extending a genuine hand rather than simply tossing a coin. “A Christian who is not compassionate, not tender, is no Christian at all,” he declared with his characteristic frankness.
“Mending the Rift”: Collaboration and Dialogue as Tools for Change
The Pope also spoke of the need to “mend the rift,” calling on the faithful to build alliances and engage in dialogue with all corners of society. He encouraged attendees to emerge from the event with “concrete commitments” to reduce inequalities, and to embrace the Church’s social teachings as a framework for progress.
Highlighting the need for hope, Pope Francis connected the night’s gathering to the upcoming Jubilee year, urging the city to “start new processes of hope.” This isn’t just a responsibility of the Church, he stressed, but a call to every citizen. He recalled the legacy of Don Luigi di Liegro, Caritas’ founder, and countless laypeople who have worked tirelessly for the vulnerable, challenging today’s Rome to take up this mantle of service. “Dare to be charitable,” he urged, “don’t be afraid to dream of great things, even if they start small.”
Rome’s Leadership Urged to Respond to Social Challenges
Baldo Reina, the Pope’s vicar for the Diocese of Rome, highlighted inequalities as the root of many contemporary issues in the city. Earlier in the day, he received his title of archbishop, adding weight to his words as he encouraged closer cooperation with institutions and organizations to tackle social divides.
Representatives from across Rome’s civic leadership received a volume summarizing months of work on pressing issues like healthcare, education, housing, and employment. In attendance were Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri; Prefect Lamberto Giannini; Police Chief Roberto Massucci; Carabinieri Commander General Andrea Taurelli; and Emanuele Cangemi, Vice President of the Lazio Regional Council. The work was presented by Caritas director Giustino Trincia, and journalist Marco Damilano offered a poignant summary, stressing the need for new, creative forms of civic engagement to build bridges in the face of conflict.
As the evening drew to a close, Pope Francis’s words resonated with all: the time for passive compassion has passed. Rome, he declared, must become a city where care, dialogue, and compassion serve as its foundation. For Rome’s community, from youth like Mariagrazia to the city’s highest officials, the Pope’s message was clear—now is the time for unity in action.
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