Pope Leo XIV criticized this Sunday the Prison overcrowding and the lack of appropriate rehabilitation programs for persons deprived of their liberty during a Special mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica is aimed at inmates, prison guards and their families. The event was part of the closing ceremony of the Holy year 2025 from the Vatican.
The first international apostolic journey of Leo XIV in the new edition of L’Osservatore Romano
According to the Holy See, some 6,000 people Those who have registered to take part in the weekend pilgrimage include representatives from large prisons in Italy, volunteers, prison directors and pastors 90 countries. According to the Association of Italian Prison Chaplains, some groups of prisoners who received special permission also took part.
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During the homily, the Pope recognized the precarious conditions that prisoners face even in developed countries and called for the promotion of a perspective based on this Charity, patience and forgivenessboth to those serving their sentences and to those responsible for guarding them.
“We can mention it here Overcrowdinginsufficient commitment to warranty stable educational programs for rehabilitation and Employment opportunities“, said Leo XIV and at the same time emphasized the need to accompany the processes of change with understanding and mercy.
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On a more personal level, the Pope also noted the emotional toll suffered by those deprived of their freedom. “Let us not forget the burden of the past, the wounds that need to heal in the body and heart, the disappointments and the infinite patience that we need with ourselves and with others as we embark on the path of conversion,” he explained.
The celebration was one of the last big events of the year Anniversary 2025which Pope Francis inaugurated on Christmas Eve 2024 with a strong message Hope is aimed at the most marginalized sectors of society. During his 12-year pontificate, Francis placed particular emphasis on serving prisoners, whom he viewed as key recipients of the anniversary message.
The pope pointed to a possible trip to Argentina, Uruguay and Peru and suggested that the U.S. should put economic pressure on Venezuela.
Leo XIV recalled Francis’ visit in his sermon December 26, 2024 to the Roman prison of Rebibbia, where he opened a holy door as a symbolic gesture of including the inmates in the Holy Year. He also recalled the Pope Emeritus’ call to world governments to promote it Amnesties and clemency measuresa traditional custom associated with the Catholic anniversary.
In Italy, the problem of prison overcrowding continues to be a structural problem. The human rights organization Antigone reported that the country’s prisons are currently operational 135% of its capacitywith more than 63,000 people arrested in facilities that have less than 47,000 places available. In addition, the prison authorities received 5,837 complaints of inhumane or degrading treatment Last year a 23.4% more than in the previous period.
The mass in St. Peter’s Basilica was the last major public event of the jubilee year 2025. Pope Leo XIV will officially close the Holy Year next year January 6thif you close this Holy Gate of St. Peter’s BasilicaThis ends a cycle marked by the call for hope, mercy and inclusion.
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