Lord Mayor,

I am very grateful to you for your welcome and for the words of greeting you have addressed to me. Together with you, I thank the civic administration, as well as the civil and military authorities, on the day of my inauguration as Bishop of Rome.

As I officially undertake the ministry of Pastor of this diocese, I feel the grave but exciting responsibility to serve all its members, having at heart first and foremost the faith of the people of God and therefore the common good of society. For this latter purpose we are collaborators, each one in his own institutional sphere. Just after the election, I reminded the brothers and sisters gathered in Saint Peter’s Square that I am Christian with them and bishop for them: in a special way, today I can say that for you and with you I am Roman!

For two millennia the Church has been practising her apostolate in Rome, proclaiming Christ’s Gospel and working in charity. The education of the young and assistance to those who are suffering, dedication to the lowliest and the fostering of the arts are expressions of that care for human dignity that we must support in every time, especially towards the small, the weak and the poor. In the holy year of the Jubilee, this concern is extended to pilgrims from every part of the world, and it also benefits from the profuse commitment of the Capitoline administration, for which I express my keen gratitude.

Lord Mayor, I hope that Rome, incomparable for the wealth of her historic and artistic heritage, may also always be distinguished for those values of humanity and civilization that draw their lifeblood from the Gospel. With these sentiments, I impart my Apostolic Blessing upon this city and all her inhabitants.

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 25 May 2025