On the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome, Pope Leo XIV expresses gratitude for the faithful’s support of the Peter’s Pence collection and greets all those who live in the Italian capital.
By Isabella H. de Carvalho
On Monday, June 29th, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome, Pope Leo XIV extended his greetings to the inhabitants of the Italian capital and thanked the faithful worldwide who participated in the Peter’s Pence collection.
“Today we celebrate the Peter’s Pence collection. I sincerely thank all those who, through their generosity, support my ministry as the Successor of Peter. Let us continue to walk together in faith and communion,” he said after the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
Observed annually, the collection enables the Pope to fund charitable works, provide disaster relief, and support vulnerable communities around the world.
The faithful in St. Peter’s Square (@Vatican Media)
The Pope also greeted those who live in Rome, on the feast day of the city’s patron saints, saying his thoughts and prayers went especially “to the sick, those who are lonely, and those who are imprisoned.”
“I thank the parish priests and all the priests, women religious, and men religious who serve in Rome, because through their presence and daily ministry they keep its great Christian heart alive,” he continued.
Thanks to those who contribute to L’Osservatore di Strada
The Pope also greeted “the homeless people who are in St. Peter’s Square today to distribute L’Osservatore di Strada, the supplement to L’Osservatore Romano.” This monthly supplement to the Vatican’s newspaper shares the stories, thoughts and opinions of society’s most marginalized and vulnerable people.
“Thank you! And best wishes to everyone who contributes to this newspaper.”
Representatives of L’Osservatore di Strada in St. Peter’s Square (@Vatican Media)
Rome celebrates its patron saints
Pope Leo also dedicated a thought to those who are working for the various events occurring in the city in light of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
He thanked, for example, the volunteers of the Pro-Loco – grassroots organizations that support cities and towns across Italy – who decorated Via della Conciliazione, the long avenue that leads to St. Peter’s Square, with a beautiful carpet of flowers.
Every year on June 29th, the Pro Loco volunteers create intricate designs and images using flower petals. This is the 13th edition of the ‘infiorata’ (meaning “decorated with flowers” in Italian).
The Pope also thanked those who are organizing the “Girandola di Castel Sant’Angelo,” an annual fireworks show that this year is dedicated to St. Francis and his Canticle of the Creatures.
Photogallery
Images of the flower decorations near St. Peter’s. Basilica
