Dear Priests and Deacons,
Dear Men and Women Religious,
Dear Lay persons who work in the Vicariate,

I have come to pay you a Visit and I extend my cordial greetings to all. I especially greet the Cardinal Vicar, thanking him for the words he addressed to me on behalf of you all. It is good to be able to meet with you in the building where you carry out your daily service to the Church, working in close collaboration with the Bishops of the Episcopal Council.

The duties entrusted to you, in the numerous offices and in the three tribunals linked to the Vicariate of Rome, are varied and specialized; they are, however, united by participation in the same mission of the Church.

It is precisely this unique mission which calls each person to a deep communion whose centre is Jesus Christ; it requires a daily openness to collaboration on the part of all. In this way, each person joyfully fulfils the duty entrusted to him or her for the good of the entire diocesan community.
Dear friends, the ministry of Bishop of Rome binds me to you in a special way and means I can count on your spiritual closeness and concrete and generous support.

On my part I assure you of constant prayers for you, your families and all those dear to you. May the Lord always be close to you. May the Holy Virgin, who we venerate today under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, assist and protect you.

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