Catholic World News News Feature
Rome should welcome foreigners, Pope tells city council March 09, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI asked Roman civil officials to uphold the city's proud heritage as "a multi-ethnic and multi-religious metropolis," during a historic March 9 address to Rome's city council.
The Holy Father became the 4th Pontiff to visit Rome's city hall, following Popes Pius IX, Paul VI, and John Paul II. He was the 2nd-- after Pope John Paul II in 1998-- to address the city council, gathered in the chamber named for Julius Caesar.
The Pope acknowledged that the task of protecting legitimate diversity can be "arduous and complex." But he said that the recent bursts of violence against immigrants have been troublesome, reflecting a "spiritual poverty" that is endemic in modern society.
"Rome has always been a welcoming city," the Pope reminded the civic leaders. He exhorted the people of Rome to recognize their precious heritage and to rediscover the city's "most profound soul, its civil and Christian roots." Building upon that strong social foundation, he said, Rome can "find the strength to exact respect for the rules of civil cohabitation from everyone and to reject all forms of intolerance and discrimination."
The Pontiff was welcomed to city hall by Mayor Gianni Alemanno, and as he introduced the Pope the mayor announced that the city is building a center for needy young people, to be named for Benedict XVI. The Pope thanked the city government for that gesture as he concluded his remarks to the council.
After his address to the city officials the Pope spoke from the balcony of city hall to a crowd gathered below, telling them: "Having lived in Rome for so many years I feel I have become a little Roman myself; yet it is as your bishop that I feel most Roman."
The Pope remarked on the many cultural treasures and architectural landmarks of the city, but said that "Rome is beautiful above all for the generosity and sanctity of so many of its sons and daughters, who have left eloquent signs of their passion for the beauty of God, the beauty of love that never fades or grows old." He mentioned some of the great saints who have born witness to Christian faith in Rome over the centuries. "We also have need of such men and women in our own time", he said.
