Pope Leo XIV will officially open the new pastoral year for the Diocese of Rome. The event is scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, September 19th, in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. The program will commence at 5:15 PM with the arrival and welcome of participants. The Pope is expected to arrive at 5:45 PM and will lead the Liturgy of the Word at 6:00 PM, during which he will deliver the pastoral guidelines. The event will conclude at 7:30 PM.
In addition to parish priests, assistant priests, rectors, chaplains, and deacons, the assembly will include three laypersons from every parish, representatives from the Consulta of Lay Associations, and delegates from male and female religious institutes.
The official announcement was made by Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina in a letter addressed to all the faithful of the diocese. Reflecting on the recent Youth Jubilee, the Cardinal wrote, “We have lived days of grace… we still cherish the memory and above all, we hope to treasure what we experienced with the presence and words of our Bishop and with the affection of the many young people who came from all over the world.” He also offered a reflection on the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, concluding today, noting that the impending pastoral year and the journey of their Church had been “placed in the hands of Mary and entrusted to Her.”