A pastoral visit in Rome

This afternoon, the Holy Father, Pope Francis paid a pastoral visit to the Parish of San Tommaso, Apostolo in the southern sector of Rome.

Upon his arrival, around 4:00pm today, the Pope met with children who are preparing for First Communion and for Confirmation, greeted the faithful in the courtyard in front of the church, and then he greeted children who had been baptised during the most recent months, along with their parents, the elderly, the sick and finally with members of the Association of families with disabled children.  He then heard the confessions of a few of the parishioners.

The Holy Father then celebrated Mass, and at the end of the liturgy, before returning to the Vatican, greeted the families of the priests and met with members of the Parish Pastoral Council.