Diocesan priests and seminarians visit Italy during the Jubilee

By Kristine Rilling
08/06/2025

Among the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Leo XIV's Inaugural Mass on May 18 was Father Rich Toohey, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Erie. Just days after leading a pilgrimage of 42 travelers, Father Toohey remained in Rome for the historic celebration.

"I am extremely grateful to the pilgrimage group and my staff from Our Lady of Peace Parish, who encouraged me to stay," he said. "It was an incredible blessing to be there and experience the excitement and hope that Catholics from all over the world were sharing."

The Inaugural Mass, held on a bright morning in St. Peter's Square, marked the formal beginning of Pope Leo XIV's papal ministry. The liturgy was steeped in symbolism, tradition and a deep call for unity within the Catholic Church.

In his homily, Pope Leo said this about the recent conclave: "Accompanied by your prayers, we could feel the working of the Holy Spirit, who was able to bring us into harmony, like musical instruments, so that our heartstrings could vibrate in a single melody."

He also highlighted the importance of journeying together in faith, which aligns with the Jubilee Year 2025 theme of "Pilgrims of Hope."

"I was chosen without any merit of my own," the Holy Father said, "and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God's love, for he wants us all to be united in one family."

Looking to the future, Pope Leo offered a stirring vision for the Church's mission: "With the light and the strength of the Holy Spirit, let us build a Church founded on God's love, a sign of unity, a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made 'restless' by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity."

After the Mass, Father Toohey shared, "Pope Leo's emphasis on unity and love was powerfully reinforced in his homily, especially through his episcopal motto, 'In illo Uno unum' (‘In the One, we are one’), a phrase taken from St. Augustine. 'Pilgrims of Hope,' the theme of the Jubilee Year 2025, is being renewed through his election, and that's exactly what I felt at the papal Mass today."

Father Toohey's reflections capture the spirit of unity and renewal Pope Leo seeks to inspire. As the Catholic Church begins this new chapter, the tone has been set for a pontificate grounded in communion, humility and missionary discipleship.

Seminarian pilgrimage to Italy

Seminarians from St. Mark Seminary, along with their rector, Father Scott Jabo, and vice rector, Father David Renne, had the privilege of being present at the third Wednesday audience of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate in St. Peter’s Square on June 4. In his address, Pope Leo emphasized the power of hope as he told the faithful that even when we feel useless or inadequate, “The Lord reminds us that our life is worthy.”

Thanks in large part to the generosity of the St. Mark Seminary Auxiliary, the seminary community had the opportunity to travel to Italy for a special 12-day pilgrimage in celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Along with attending the Holy Father’s Wednesday audience, some of the highlights of the trip included celebrating Mass in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica, visiting the catacombs of St. Callistus, making the 15- mile, seven-church walk around Rome, venerating the body of Blessed Carlo Acutis and visiting other Italian cities such as Florence, Siena and Assisi.