- The Jubilee of the Poor in Rome transformed into a meaningful day of service, underscoring the Church’s mission of encounter, with events such as a Mass led by Pope Leo XIV and a shared lunch at the Vatican, alongside a significant gathering organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio for 150 homeless individuals and struggling families at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
- The Community of Sant’Egidio exemplified a spirit of hospitality by proactively inviting people experiencing homelessness to a celebratory lunch, as explained by student Paolo Stifano, creating an inclusive environment where volunteers, including students, long-term members, migrants, and even Rome’s new police commissioner, Roberto Masucci, came together to serve.
- Rome’s Police Commissioner, Roberto Masucci, highlighted that serving the poor aligns with the police mission of upholding human dignity, emphasizing the importance of working with people and maintaining respect, even when enforcement is necessary, rather than just focusing on laws and intervention.
- Volunteers, many of whom were young students like engineering student Andrea Salzano, found the experience transformative, with Salzano expressing profound happiness from helping many people, while Paolo Stifano reflected on overcoming initial discomfort to realize the shared humanity between himself and those experiencing homelessness, acknowledging that luck, not intrinsic difference, often separates them.
- Beyond meals, the Community of Sant’Egidio provides essential services like shelter through their “Good Shepherd” project, which deeply impacts individuals like Aylou Sow, a migrant from Senegal, who expressed gratitude for the welcome, opportunities, and restoration of dignity, fostering friendship among diverse groups.
- Fr. Marco Gnavi, parish priest of Santa Maria in Trastevere, emphasized that true charity involves more than just providing food or clothing; it requires offering friendship and love to heal the wounds and fulfill the hope within each individual, recognizing that people often need the sense of belonging that a family provides.
The Jubilee of the Poor Becomes a Day of Service
