Father Roberto Pasolini Embarks on New Role as Preacher to Vatican Employees and Pope Francis in Rome

Father Roberto Pasolini, a Franciscan Capuchin priest, has always been at ease with public speaking.

As a Scripture expert, he regularly gives talks and leads retreats throughout Italy.

However, in late 2024, he embarked on a new, more daunting chapter of his career: preaching to Vatican employees, cardinals, and even Pope Francis himself during Lent and Advent.

In November 2024, Pope Francis appointed Pasolini as the next preacher of the Papal Household.

Pasolini succeeded the esteemed Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, who held the position for 44 years before his retirement at the age of 90.

For Pasolini, the appointment was a surprising honor and one that stirred feelings of fear.

Stepping Into Big Shoes

At 53 years old, Pasolini found himself taking on a responsibility he hadn’t anticipated.

Reflecting on his new role, he admitted, “The fact that God is calling me, at this moment, to go right into the heart of the Church, in front of the pope, the cardinals… to speak such important, meaningful words, it scares me.” Yet, he also felt a deep sense of alignment with his life’s journey.

“I’ve always been drawn to words, reading texts, and searching for meaning that brings clarity to life,” he shared.

With less than a month to prepare, Pasolini delivered his first Advent meditation to the Roman Curia on December 6, 2024.

 

Despite the pressure, he relied on reflections he’d developed over the years on themes like the Incarnation and the Christmas story.

Embracing His Humanity

The role of preacher to the Papal Household has been a fixture in the Vatican since the reign of Pope Paul IV in the 1500s.

In 1743, Pope Benedict XIV decreed that the position would always be filled by a member of the Capuchin Order.

Pasolini, however, is determined to bring his own voice to the role, which he sees as a departure from his predecessor Father Cantalamessa’s theological style.

Pasolini plans to deliver sermons that are more narrative and biblically focused, using a language and approach that resonates with his own generation.

He also intends to remain true to himself: “I will try as much as possible to be natural, to remain myself,” he explained, noting that his goal is to share the mystery of God with all the heart and intellect he possesses.

A Journey Back to Faith

Pasolini’s path to the priesthood and his deep connection with Scripture was not a straightforward one. Growing up in northern Italy, he was an avid fan of soccer, especially of the Milan team, and initially

 

distanced himself from his Catholic faith during his teenage years.

“I took my time off from God,” he confessed, spending several years searching for life’s meaning outside the Church.

Though those years gave him a sense of freedom, they were also filled with personal struggles.

“When we distance ourselves from God, we feel free, but we also realize we don’t know how to use our freedom properly,” he explained.

His reconnection with faith came unexpectedly during a subway ride in Milan, when he came across a free copy of the Gospel of St. Matthew.

Reading it sparked a profound desire to return to the Church, and soon after, he sought out confession and began to actively participate in parish life again.

Discovering a Second Calling

During his spiritual journey, Pasolini encountered the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, whose simple, Gospel-driven lifestyle deeply inspired him.

“I found his style, his way of life, so beautiful,” he said, describing how he was drawn to the Capuchins and ultimately decided to embrace religious life.

After completing his university studies, Pasolini entered the convent and quickly became known for his passion for Scripture.

His superiors recognized his deep connection to God’s word, and after his initial formation, he moved to Rome to study at the Pontifical Biblical Institute.

This marked the beginning of his “second calling” within his vocation, as he embraced a role as both a priest and a scholar of sacred Scripture.

His studies, which took him to both Rome and Jerusalem, culminated in a doctoral thesis on the Gospel of Mark.

Pasolini describes these years as a transformative time in his life, defining him as both a friar and a biblical scholar.

The Heart of Preaching

For Pasolini, the key to effective preaching lies in personal preparation.

“Before I began preaching, I made it a habit to meditate on God’s word daily,” he shared.

This practice, known as lectio divina, helped him develop a habit of listening to God and responding to His word.

Pasolini believes that the best preparation for preaching is to let God’s word touch one’s heart, making it possible to then touch the hearts of others.

He encourages fellow priests and preachers to let the word of God resonate deeply within them.

“When we allow ourselves to be touched by God’s word,” he said, “we will surely be able to touch the hearts of others.”

Father Roberto Pasolini’s story is one of transformation—moving from distant doubt to a deep embrace of faith and a call to share the beauty of God’s word with the world.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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