ALL IN A DAY’S WORK: IN ASSISI, POPE LEO PRAYS AT TOMB OF ST. FRANCIS, ADDRESSES ITALIAN BISHOPS, IN NEARBY MONTEFALCO, HE VISITS CLOISTERED AUGUSTINIAN NUNS

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK: IN ASSISI, POPE LEO PRAYS AT TOMB OF ST. FRANCIS, ADDRESSES ITALIAN BISHOPS, IN NEARBY MONTEFALCO, HE VISITS CLOISTERED AUGUSTINIAN NUNS

POPE LEO VISITS TOMB OF ST. FRANCIS IN ASSISI

Pope Leo XIV arrives in Assisi and pays a visit to the tomb of St Francis, saying his witness is especially important “at a time when the world is searching for signs of hope.” It is a blessing to be able to come here today to this sacred place. As we approach the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s death, we have the opportunity to prepare to celebrate this great, humble, and poor saint at a time when the world is searching for signs of hope.”  These were the first public words spoken by Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Assisi, standing before the tomb of St. Francis.

Pope Leo visits tomb of St Francis in Assisi – Vatican News

(1) EWTN Vatican on X: “Pope Leo XIV visited Assisi, pausing in prayer before the tomb of St. Francis. Marking the approach of the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death, the Pope recalled Francis as a witness of hope “for a world searching for signs of light.” Despite rain and cold, crowds greeted him https://t.co/4tt6TYL2DL” / X

POPE TO ITALIAN BISHOPS: WE ARE FIRST CALLED TO LOOK TO JESUS

During his visit on Thursday to the Italian hill town of Assisi, Pope Leo closes the 81st General Assembly of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), and tells Italian Bishops to keep Christ at the center of all they do and to offer effective pastoral care, especially to families, young people, the elderly and the poor. We are first called to look to Jesus, and, more than ever, we need to place Christ at the center. Pope Leo XIV insisted on this point in his address to Italy’s Bishops during his day trip to Assisi to close the 81st General Assembly of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) on Thursday, 20 Nov., in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Pope to Italian Bishops: We are first called to look to Jesus – Vatican News  Pope Leo addresses bishops, speaking in front of the Porziuncula inside Santa Maria degli Angeli basilica in Assisi

POPE LEO XIV VISITS AUGUSTINIAN MONASTERY IN MONTEFALCO

Highlighting Pope Leo XIV’s strong ties with the Augustinian community and with the legacy of Saint Clare, the Pope visits the Augustinian monastery of Santa Chiara in Montefalco, in central Italy, to celebrate Mass, pray and share a meal with the cloistered nuns there. Following his meeting with the Italian bishops and his visit to the tomb of St Francis in the town of Assisi on Thursday, 20 November, Pope Leo XIV travelled to the nearby town of Montefalco, where he called upon the Augustinian monastery of Santa Chiara and spent time in conversation with the cloistered nuns there, celebrated Mass, and shared a traditional Umbrian lunch. The monastery, which has observed the Rule of Saint Augustine since 1290, is home to thirteen nuns and safeguards the memory of Saint Clare of Montefalco, known as “of the Cross.” Clare became abbess at the age of 23, revitalising the community, welcoming the poor, and offering wise counsel to priests and the faithful. She died in 1308 and was canonised by Pope Leo XIII in 1881.  Pope Leo XIV visits Augustinian Monastery in Montefalco – Vatican News

(1) EWTN Vatican on X: “After meeting the Italian bishops in Assisi, Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Augustinian monastery of St. Clare of Montefalco, where he wished to spend a private moment of communion with the cloistered sisters. The Pope spoke informally with the community, celebrated Mass, and https://t.co/9aSTFJ9W6F” / X