Credit /McKenna Snow
CV NEWS FEED // Archbishop Rino Fisichella celebrated Mass April 28 at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on the first day of the Jubilee of Persons with Disabilities. The event was part of the Jubilee Year 2025 calendar and emphasized full participation and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Vatican News reported that the liturgy included several measures to ensure accessibility. All prayers and hymns were translated into LIS, the International Sign Language. Wheelchair ramps were also installed at the basilica to improve access, a significant step at one of the Church’s oldest pilgrimage sites.
In his homily, Archbishop Fisichella reflected on the importance of restoring dignity and autonomy. He referenced the Acts of the Apostles, where Peter and John heal a paralyzed man. The archbishop said the miracle was not about spectacle but about helping the man regain his strength and ability to stand on his own.
He said inclusion must become a regular part of Church life, not something special or separate. He also encouraged the Church to speak up for those who are often overlooked, saying, “No one, if truly welcomed, can remain alone.”
The Mass included the participation of many individuals with disabilities. One attendee, Luca from Varmo, said he would not have thought it possible to travel to Rome in a wheelchair just a few years ago. He hopes others will find the same sense of dignity and opportunity.
Cristina Borlotti, who leads the disability ministry in the Diocese of Bergamo, said the goal is not to create “special” programs but to build a culture of everyday inclusion. She emphasized the importance of respectful language, urging people to say “persons with disabilities” rather than “the disabled.”
Marta Russo, an advocate for accessible tourism and education, spoke at a related event promoting a national campaign to raise awareness in schools. She echoed Pope Francis’ call for a “cultural revolution” in how society views disability.
The Jubilee Mass is part of a series of events for people with disabilities on April 28–29, including a pilgrimage through the Holy Door, opportunities for accessible confession and Eucharistic adoration, catechesis in St. Peter’s Square, and community gatherings at Castel Sant’Angelo. Organizers say the goal is to show that people who have disabilities are a vital part of the Church, not an afterthought.
