# Cardinal Reina: Pope must reconnect with Rome's forgotten

> The Vatican's top official in Rome warns that churches are failing the city's poorest and most isolated residents.
- Title: Cardinal Reina: Pope must reconnect with Rome's forgotten
- Summary: The Vatican's top official in Rome warns that churches are failing the city's poorest and most isolated residents. The Diocese of Rome needs to reach beyond…
- Keywords: cardinal baldo reina, pope leo xiv, diocese of rome, synodality, poverty, housing crisis, pastoral mission, family breakdown, youth addiction, christian faith, jubilee of redemption 2033, religion
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-09/cardinal-reina-bond-pope-diocese-of-rome-synodality-poverty.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-17T16:03:06.436+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cardinal baldo reina, pope leo xiv, diocese of rome, synodality, poverty, housing crisis, pastoral mission, family breakdown, youth addiction, christian faith, jubilee of redemption 2033, religion
## Pope visits Rome's cathedral tomorrow
Pope Leo will preside over the Diocesan Assembly at St John Lateran on September 18, meeting with representatives from all 334 parishes in Rome.
## Cardinal Reina: strengthen the bishop-diocese bond
Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina says the gathering aims to deepen the relationship between Pope Leo and the Diocese of Rome through shared prayer, testimonies, and discussion.

> We are strengthening the bond between the bishop and his Diocese.
## Diocese shows progress on synodality and mission
Rome's parishes have invested in participatory bodies, created networks between neighboring communities, and strengthened the diocesan pastoral council to advance the Pope's vision of shared decision-making.

> We have made progress that needs to be strengthened and consolidated.
## Family breakdown and youth addiction alarm cardinal
Cardinal Reina identifies weakening family bonds, challenges raising children, and widespread youth addiction as urgent concerns facing Rome's parishes.

> The first major concern concerns the family: the weakening of bonds within households.
## Housing crisis leaves Romans isolated and poor
Market forces have driven rents beyond reach for average earners, forcing families into homelessness and isolation. Cardinal Reina notes that in Rome, people die not of hunger but of loneliness and lack of work.

> In Rome, it is difficult to die of hunger, but people certainly die of loneliness.
## Churches clustered downtown, people live on outskirts
Most of Rome's churches are concentrated in the city center while the majority of residents live in outlying neighborhoods, making it hard for the Diocese to reach those who have stopped attending.

> Most of the churches are concentrated in the city centre, while most people are concentrated in the outskirts.
## Cardinal calls for missionary outreach beyond parish walls
Cardinal Reina urges priests to focus on people who no longer attend church, saying the Gospel demands a missionary mandate that embraces everyone, not just regular parishioners.

> The Kingdom of God goes beyond the boundaries of the parish.
## Key takeaway

The Diocese of Rome needs to reach beyond its church walls to serve people struggling with loneliness, housing costs, and disconnection from faith.