[Holy Father’s words of greeting pronounced from the central Loggia of the Lateran Basilica for the Blessing of the city of Rome at the end of the Eucharistic Celebration.]

Peace be with you!

Dear brothers and sisters, community of Rome, it gives me great pleasure to be here with you this evening, in this liturgical act in which we have celebrated my inauguration as your new Bishop of Rome. Thank you all!

Let us live our faith, especially during this Jubilee Year, in search of hope; but seeking to be ourselves the witness that offers hope to the world. A world that suffers a great deal of pain due to wars, violence and poverty! But the Lord asks us as Christians always to be this living witness. To live our faith, feeling in our heart that Jesus Christ is present and to know that He always accompanies us on our journey.

Thank you for walking together! Let us all walk together! Always count on me, as a Christian with you and Bishop for you. Thank you all!

[Blessing]

Good evening to you all! Let us live with this joy, always. Thank you.

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 25 May 2025