VICARIATE OF ROME

PRESS AND SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

VISIT OF POPE LEO XIV
TO THE PARISH OF ASCENSIONE DI NOSTRO SIGNORE GESÙ CRISTO

The Holy Father will meet with various members of the community entrusted to the Dehonian Fathers and will celebrate Holy Mass at 17.00

The Quarticciolo neighbourhood eagerly awaits Pope Leo XIV’s visit: the Holy Father will arrive in the parish of Ascensione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo (Via Manfredonia 5), entrusted to the Dehonian Fathers, on Sunday 1 March at 16.00. He will be welcomed by, among others, the cardinal vicar Baldo Reina and the parish priest of the community, Father Daniele Canali. The Pontiff will first stop in the courtyard of the oratory, where he will meet the children of the catechism class, the young people and their families. Then, in the parish hall, he will meet “the vulnerable people of the area”, as the parish priest defines them: namely, a representation of the elderly, the sick, the poor, the disabled, and the volunteers who care for them. Among them, in a neighbourhood considered one of the areas of Rome worst affected by drug dealing, are four mothers of drug addicts in prison. “They are signs of hope: one is a catechist and another is a Caritas volunteer”. Father Canali says.

Pope Leo will then meet with the pastoral council in a parish hall and, at 5 p.m., he will celebrate Mass in the parish church. Finally, he will meet with the community of priests. For those who cannot enter the church, a large screen will be set up outside.

Pope Leo will then meet with the pastoral council in one of the parish halls and, at 17.00, will celebrate Mass in the parish church. Finally, he will meet with the priestly community. For those who are unable to enter the church, a large screen will be installed outside.

“It is the third visit made by a Pope to our community”, recalls the parish priest. “On 3 March 1963, Saint John XXIII came, while on 3 March 1980 there was Saint John Paul II”. And now it is Pope Leo XIV’s turn. “There is a lot of excitement and anticipation for this visit”, says Father Canali. “We are preparing not only from a practical point of view, with the organization of all the spaces, but above all spiritually, with the weekly reading. All the groups have reflected on the figure of Peter”.

The Pope’s presence is a great sign of hope for an area like Quarticciolo. “This parish community is small, and has lived through extremely difficult times for this area”, the priest emphasizes. “But I must testify that no one has ever given up; the community has always remained standing. The passage from the prophet Isaiah comes to mind: ‘Watchman, what of the night?’ The Pope comes to tell us that the day is near. I read it this way, as a sign of rebirth for us”.

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate must apply, no later than 24 hours before the event, exclusively via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at: press.vatican.va/accreditamenti

26 February 2026

Giulia Rocchi
Press and Social Communications Office of the Vicariate of Rome, tel. +390669886343/150; +393393749085
e-mail stampa@diocesidiroma.it; giulia.rocchi@diocesidiroma.it