- 21 July, 2025
Castel Gandolfo, July 21, 2025 – Pope Leo XIV paid a private visit on Monday morning to the Santa Marta Home for the Elderly in the Alban Hills, offering heartfelt words of encouragement, gratitude, and spiritual closeness to its elderly residents and the religious sisters who care for them.
The Santa Marta Home, located near Villa Barberini where the Pope is spending a brief summer rest, is run by a community of religious sisters. Upon arrival, Pope Leo was welcomed warmly by the sisters and escorted to the chapel, where he spent a moment in silent prayer.
The Holy Father then met with each of the twenty women residing in the facility, aged between 80 and 101. He took the time to speak with every resident, listening attentively to their stories and offering words of affection and blessing. He also greeted the sisters and staff, acknowledging their dedication.
During the visit, a young nurse addressed the gathering with words of welcome, followed by a short communal prayer and hymns. Pope Leo then offered a reflection based on the Gospel reading from the previous day’s Mass, tying in the message of the hymns and Scripture.
“In each of us, there is a part of Martha and a part of Mary,” he reflected, referencing the Gospel story of the sisters who hosted Jesus. “This stage of life is a precious time to embrace the ‘Mary’ within us — to sit at the feet of Jesus, to listen to His word, and to pray.”
He thanked the residents for their prayers, emphasising their importance in the life of the Church and describing prayer as “far greater than we can imagine.”
“Age doesn’t matter,” Pope Leo said. “It is Jesus who draws near to us. He becomes our guest and invites us to be His witnesses, whether young or not-so-young.”
He went on to describe the elderly as “signs of hope” for both the Church and the world. “You have given so much in your lives,” he said. “And you continue to be witnesses – witnesses of prayer, of faith, a family that offers to the Lord what it has.”
The visit concluded with the recitation of the Our Father. Pope Leo spent a few more moments speaking with the staff before returning to his residence at Villa Barberini shortly before noon
Courtesy: Vatican News
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