On October 4, 2019, the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi, the Cardinal Secretary of State for the Holy See, Pietro Cardinal PAROLIN, visited the Conventual Franciscan community of San Giacomo in Rome.

The cardinal spoke affably with the friars and was especially interested in some of the individual pastoral ministries they carry out. The Guardian, Friar Renzo DEGNI, welcomed the cardinal and gave an opening address thanking him for his visit. He spoke about the friars’ closeness to the Church and the wise guidance of Pope Francis and the Holy See Secretariat of State in their pastoral management of the Universal Church.
The Cardinal Secretary of State took a personal interest in the pastoral ministries performed by the friars. The ministries of several friars were mentioned, including Friars Angelo D’ONOFRI and Gianfranco GRIECO who for several decades have served the Church in the Vatican; Friar Vittorio TRANI, who served as the chaplain of the historic Regina Coeli prison, assisted by Friar Renzo; Friar Celestino PEDON, who serves as the Dean of Psychology at the LUMSA Catholic University; Friar Umberto FANFARILLO, who serves as the Pastor at the Church of Santa Dorotea in Rome’s Trastevere district; Friar Paolo FIASCONARO, who serves as the Director of the Franciscan Missionary Center; Friar Amedeo FERRARI who serves as the Spiritual Assistant to the Focolare Movement; and finally the young Friar Avelino Romário DA SILVA, from Brazil, who is starting a three-year course in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University.
The cardinal praised the multi-faceted activities of the friars who work intensively following the example of the Poverello. During a fraternal agape meal, the cardinal wished the whole community all the best in their work and committed himself to celebrating Mass next Christmas day at the Regina Coeli prison and spending the morning with the prisoners.

Friar Paolo FIASCONARO, Chronicler of the Friary of San Giacomo

PHOTO:
Pietro Cardinal PAROLIN with the friars of the Friary of San Giacomo