By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis visited the Salesian Pontifical University on Tuesday afternoon, where he was warmly greeted with singing and guitar music. This meeting, held behind closed doors in the University’s auditorium, was the third and final encounter with priests from the Diocese of Rome who have been ordained for between 11 and 39 years.
This gathering followed previous meetings: one with senior priests ordained for over 40 years at the parish of San Giuseppe al Trionfale on May 14, and another with younger priests ordained for up to 10 years at the House of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master on May 29.
Around 160 priests, including parish priests, prefects, chaplains, and directors of Curia offices, were invited to freely ask questions. Bishop Michele Di Tolve, who described the attendees as “pillars” of the Diocese for their work in charity, schools, prisons, and hospitals, introduced the assembly to the Pope after a prayer and the reading of the day’s Gospel. Bishop Di Tolve is the delegate for the care of the diaconate, clergy, and religious life.
Before entering the Salesian auditorium, Pope Francis spent about fifteen minutes outside greeting members of the academic community, including professors (notably a 96-year-old priest), students, and collaborators. Local residents lined up outside the University gates to welcome the Pope, who took time to wave and smile at them.
Speaking briefly to journalists, Pope Francis mentioned that at the G7 summit on June 14, he would discuss topics such as Artificial Intelligence and peace, and have bilateral talks with leaders at the summit in Borgo Egnazia, in Italy’s Puglia region.
The Pope shook hands with students waiting to greet him, exchanged cordial words with Don Cesare, and joked with a group of Argentinians. In the courtyard, he was welcomed by Vicegerent Monsignor Baldo Reina and Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the major rector of the Salesian Congregation, who introduced him to some of the attendees.
Entering the meeting with the priests at around 4:20 pm local time, Pope Francis reflected on the current challenges, including the pandemic’s aftermath, increasing poverty, war, migrations, and youth emergencies, urging the transformation of the city into a “mission territory.”
