Pope inaugurates new Rome parish, urges closeness to families in difficulty

(March 21, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI made a trip to the Infernetto quarters in the southern outskirts of Rome, Sunday morning, where he inaugurated the parish of St. Corbiniano. In his homily the Pontiff, who is the bishop of Rome, said that the mission of believers is to bring the message of God’s love to all, and to make his face known to all. He also said that parishes must give particular care and attention to families in difficulty or in irregular union. "Do not leave them alone, but be close to them with love, helping them to understand God's true plan for marriage and the family," the Pope urged. He said that in a place such as Infernetto, with so many young couples what is needed is, "a pastoral programme for the family that is open and friendly to new families, so that the parish is increasingly a 'family of families', sharing with them the joys and the inevitable early difficulties."