Limerick Pilgrimage to Rome as part of Jubilee Year of Hope attends Gemelli Hospital today as Pope makes first appearance in five weeks

 

Sunday 23 March 2025:  As the world may seem caught in a dark place that is drowning moral and civil rights and liberties, we must look to the many sources of hope and light, Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy said from a diocesan pilgrimage to Rome.

 

In his homily at a Mass in Saint Chrysogonus Church, Rome on the Limerick Diocesan pilgrimage to the city as part of Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Hope, Bishop Leahy said that the concept of hope is something that current generations are crying out for.

 

And speaking separately today from outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome where Pope Francis made his first public appearance in over five weeks, Bishop Leahy said that the pontiff’s recovery is, indeed, a symbol of hope and a timely one. It was, he said, a special moment for the diocesan pilgrimage which travelled to the hospital this morning.

 

Bishop Leahy said we need now to search out the many and glorious signs of hope in the world today and, individually, move to that light and away from darkness of a world that can appear wrapped in turmoil. This was also evident across the past week, he said, including for Irish people as the feast day of St. Patrick became embroiled in a conversation on anti-immigration rhetoric.

 

In his homily at Saint Chrysogonus Church, Bishop Leahy acknowledged the concerns many have today. “It is a time of great concern regarding how moral and civil rights and liberties seem to be eroding in so many places where heretofore they were acclaimed. Mutual distrust in relationships between people and between states is increasing.

 

“We see the diplomatic courtesies, even norms of engagement, vanish with political leaders publicly belittling others. Assaults on the dignity of those whose life is at its most vulnerable stages – early life and end of life – are on the increase everywhere. The vulnerable and poor continue to be forgotten,” he said.

 

Reflecting on the week just gone, Bishop Leahy said, “And so, irony of ironies, we can end up with an Irish man stridently voicing an anti-immigration message in the White House on St. Patrick’s Day, the very day of the celebration of our most famous Immigrant who brought us the Christian faith.

 

“And with all of that, the continuing background drumbeat of horrible wars. In Gaza, where this week alone almost 600 were killed and in Ukraine, where the bloodshed and occupation continues and now a so-called solution being hammered out by two other States, including the aggressor, whose leaders are exemplars of self-interest. There’s unspeakable atrocities in Congo, over 1,000 more killed recently in Syria; there’s Sudan, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Yemen… It seems to be such a dark time for so much that we hold dear – respect and protection of human life. So much so that there is a great need for hope in our world today. Perhaps Pope Francis’ decision to declare 2025 a ‘Jubilee Year of Hope’ was entirely prescient to help cast a light in that darkness.”

 

Bishop Leahy said that Pope Francis’ first appearance public in five weeks today, outside Gemelli Hospital, was an inspiration and source of light for many across the world and certainly for the diocesan pilgrimage.

 

“Our entire pilgrimage group of 60 people were there and truly blessed by the moment. We’re here on a pilgrimage for the Jubilee Year of Hope and what a symbol of that hope today was. The timing for us on our pilgrimage but, moreover, for the faithful across the world is remarkable. It lifts us all, encourages us all.”