Pope visits Rome parish

February 17, 2014 - Pope Francis on Sunday paid a pastoral visit to the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle at Infernetto, on the southern peripheries of Rome, where he emphasized on the importance of making a good examination of conscience. As Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis celebrated the evening Mass at the parish to mark the 50th anniversary of its dedication.

During his homily, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of examining one’s conscience well, recalling the Gospel passage in which Christ's disciples are criticized for defying the law of Moses by picking and eating grain on the Sabbath. Christ reminds the Pharisees that “it is not that which comes from the outside that defiles the soul, but that which comes from the inside.” The successor of the Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, encouraged the congregation to consider the condition of their own hearts which no one else except God knows. The Pope acknowledged it is not easy because there is always the tendency to cover up evil things in our hearts. As an example, he spoke about dislike or hatred for a particular person or persons. He reminded the parishioners about Christ telling that anyone who is angry with his brother “kills in his heart.” This is also true for the sins of “gossip, calumny, and detraction.” The Holy Father thus urged the faithful to pray for two graces – first, to frankly know and admit what is in our hearts, and, secondly, to do what is good and not evil.

At the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle, Pope Francis took the opportunity to meet children making their first communion this year, young people in religious education, the disabled and sick with their families, children who were baptized this year and their parents, and the members of the parish council. He also heard confessions prior to saying Mass.