Twenty-six thousand faithful at Mass, more than 650 volunteers and 500 accredited journalists. Just hours after the visit of Pope Leo XIV, the Diocese of Rimini is taking stock of a day that involved the entire city — and is already looking at what will remain once the event has passed.
One of the most striking figures concerns the celebration in Piazzale Boscovich: 26,000 people received Communion in just over twelve minutes, thanks to 220 extraordinary ministers, each accompanied by a volunteer. Around 300 priests and deacons concelebrated the Mass, including 40 cardinals and bishops, while the musical accompaniment involved 650 choir members, 115 orchestral musicians and seven conductors.
The visit took in several locations across the city, from the Meeting at the Arch of Augustus, through the historic centre, the meeting in the Cathedral with people in fragile conditions and the Parco del Mare, all the way to the celebration at the port. Participants were also given 40,000 bottles of water donated by the national ACLI association and 20 quintals of fruit provided by Coldiretti Rimini.
“It was a wonderful day, full of civic, political and cultural inspiration, spanning San Marino, the Meeting and the Cathedral,” said Bishop Nicolò Anselmi. “The image of Pope Leo bending down to comfort suffering people in the Cathedral will remain etched forever in this land’s book of memories.”
But the Diocese wants above all to turn the visit into concrete initiatives. Three commitments have been announced: funding the installation of an artificial turf pitch at the football field of Rimini’s Casa Circondariale (district prison), taking part in the Italian Bishops’ Conference project to build a hospital or a major healthcare facility in Gaza, and launching a further initiative dedicated to the welcoming of foreign nationals living in the area.
“We experienced the exhausting work of organising everything, but also the joy and excitement of preparing such a day,” Anselmi added. “Now we are called to gather what the Pope told us and turn it into life.”
Mayor Jamil Sadegholvaad also expressed his satisfaction: “Thanks to the thousands of people who helped make this unforgettable day a success — one that will go down in the history of our community. Rimini, we are proud of you.”
The next step has already been set: on 23 September, a delegation from the Diocese of Rimini will travel to Rome for the Wednesday audience with Leo XIV, an occasion to thank the Pontiff for his visit.
