Pope Francis went to the south of Rome to spend some time with about thirty priests and pray to the Holy Spirit for this pastoral year. Francis' trips to see the priests of his diocese have become a habit.
In mid-November, he visited parish priests in another area of Rome, near where World Youth Day took place more than 20 years ago.
-He is the pastor of Santa Maria dell' Ospitalità, Fr. Maximilian, and there are some other priests here.
-We'll greet them one by one.
In September, he made another trip. In this case to the parish of St. Mary of Health in the north-eastern part of Rome.
In the early years of his pontificate, it was more common to see Pope Francis visiting the parishes of his diocese where he spoke openly with parishioners, especially with young people and children, about more personal topics such as his vocation to the priesthood.
POPE FRANCIS
It's felt in the heart. Just as when a boy feels sympathy in his heart, then it grows, and feels the love for a girl, and then they become engaged and get married. It's felt in the heart when the Lord says to you: “You must follow the way to become a priest.” That's how I felt.
Pope Francis was also seen near the Vatican, in the parish of St. Mary of Grace, confessing the faithful during the traditional penitential celebration of Lent.
JRB
TR: AT
