Pope Francis to visit Rome's Campidoglio in June

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis will visit Rome's capital, often referred to simply as the Campidoglio, on June 10.

The news was confirmed by the Holy See Press Office on Friday following an announcement earlier in the day by the chaplain of the local Police of the City of Rome, Father Massimo Cocci.

During the visit, Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri will welcome Pope Francis at 9 am.

Pope Francis received the Roman Mayor in the Vatican on January 4, as it is the tradition for the Bishop of Rome to receive the Eternal City's Mayor at the start of the year.

After the encounter, Mr. Gualtieri called the encounter "profoundly inspiring" and called the Bishop of Rome a model of "solidarity, fraternity, and peace."

A return to the Campidoglio after Prayer for Peace

Pope Francis went to the Campidoglio in October 2020 to participate in the Community of Sant'Egidio's annual Prayer Meeting for Peace. 

After interventions by Sant'Egidio's founder, Professor Andrea Riccardi, Italy's President, Sergio Mattarella, and religious leaders present, the Holy Father gave his address, before all observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the pandemic, wars, terrorism and violence, worldwide.

Subsequently, an appeal for peace was read, and, in keeping with the annual event's tradition, some children, who received the text of the appeal from the religious leaders, passed it on to ambassadors and political leaders present.