Pope Francis: visit to Roman parish dedicated to St Thomas the Apostle

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis visited the parish church of San Tommaso Apostolo in Infernetto this Sunday. Infernetto is a neighbourhood on the outskirts of the city near the site of the ancient port of Ostia. Listen to our report:

The Holy Father’s visit began at 4PM Rome Time.

The schedule of the visit included: a meeting with the children and young people of the parish, who are making their First Communion and Confirmation; an exchange of greetings with the parish faithful in the courtyard in front of the church; some time with children baptized in recent months and with their parents; with the elderly the sick, and with the Parish-sponsored association of families with disabled children. Pope Francis also made time to hear the confessions of several penitents before offering the Mass, which began at 6PM Rome Time.

The occasion of the visit is the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the parish, dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle.

The parish territory is home to some 20 thousand people. The parish services include an “Oratory” or playground for young people, a Caritas outreach, regular blood donation drives, a Center for the Elderly, and the San Tommaso Association that is tasked with marshalling resources for the neighbourhood’s needy and for the support of missionary efforts in other parts of the world.