by John L. Allen Jr.
In yet another gesture of outreach to ordinary people, Pope Francis starting in January will invite parishioners from Roman parishes to join him for his daily morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where he lives.
The news was first reported yesterday by the Italian paper Corriere della Sera and confirmed today by the Vatican Press Office.
There are roughly 320 parishes in the Rome diocese.
The following is an NCR translation of the brief statement:
“Up to now, groups of Vatican employees have participated in the Mass at Santa Marta. Beginning in the month of January 2014, parishioners at different parishes of the Diocese of Rome are advised, through the Cardinal Vicar, that they can make requests for participation in the Mass at Santa Marta with a group of faithful from their parish (around 25 people). Until the Pope is able to visit all the parishes of Rome, this will create the possibility of participating in the celebration with him at least for a representative group of every parish.”
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