Pope Leo XIV Encourages Salesians to Serve in Areas Marked by War and Poverty
Pope Leo XIV visited the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome’s Castro Pretorio district on Sunday, meeting members of the Salesian community and praising their commitment to young people, especially those living in poverty or affected by conflict. The parish, entrusted to the Salesians founded by St John Bosco, is located near Termini station, one of the busiest areas of the Italian capital.
After celebrating Mass, the Pope addressed the religious community with a lighthearted remark about once considering joining the Salesians before choosing another path in religious life. The comment was received with laughter, setting a warm tone for the encounter. He then turned to express gratitude for the congregation’s global mission, particularly in regions marked by war, social instability and economic hardship.
The Pope highlighted the importance of being present where suffering is most acute. He noted that the Salesians continue their educational and pastoral work in countries facing armed conflict, poverty and displacement, embodying what he described as signs of Christ’s presence in today’s world. Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of John, he referred to the many signs performed by Jesus that were not written in Scripture, suggesting that the charitable works of the Salesians belong to these living signs carried forward in history.
He emphasized the central charism of the congregation, which is dedicated to the education and accompaniment of young people. In Rome, this mission includes outreach to foreign youth and migrants who benefit from language classes and community support. The Pope praised the parish’s initiatives that offer Italian language instruction and other services to young people navigating life in a new country. He jokingly remarked that he too could benefit from additional language lessons, reinforcing the atmosphere of closeness and shared humanity.
During his visit, Pope Leo XIV also met with the parish pastoral council. He described the Basilica of the Sacred Heart as both a spiritual heart and a social heart of the city, welcoming a constant flow of pilgrims and travelers passing through Termini. The church, he said, stands as a house of mercy and hospitality in the midst of urban complexity.
He encouraged the pastoral council to continue working in a spirit of collaboration and synodality, recalling that the word synod means walking together. By representing different sectors of parish life and serving diverse communities, the council reflects the broader life of the Church.
The Pope concluded by thanking the Salesians and parish leaders for their dedication to charity, education and accompaniment, urging them to remain close to those who are often described as the least in the Kingdom, and to continue offering concrete expressions of Christ’s mercy in a world marked by division and need.
