Jubilee of Roma and Sinti In Rome, the Jubilee of Hope embraces all people. Among those who crossed the Holy Door last week were the Roma and Sinti \u2014 often referred to as the Gypsy people. The event, organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, brought together pilgrims from every corner of Italy and Europe. Welcoming them, Pope Leo XIV praised their strong faith, unshakable hope in God alone, and solid trust that endures despite a life often lived on society\u2019s margins: \u201cMay the peace of Christ be in your hearts, brothers and sisters of the Rom, Sinti and travelling communities \u2014 and in the hearts of the many pastoral workers who walk with you.\u201d The celebration filled the Paul VI Hall with joyful music and dance, showcasing the richness of Roma and Sinti culture through artists from across Europe. Among them was Rubino Gabriele, a violinist from the Sinti community of Bressanone, carrying forward the musical tradition of his grandfather \u2014 who, together with his family, played before Saint John Paul II in 1991. \u201cIt was something completely new for me,\u201d he shared, \u201cyears ago it was my grandfather who did this, and now I\u2019m the one carrying on his tradition.\u201d He added, \u201cIt was deeply emotional, bringing back memories of my childhood, when I used to watch him play for the Pope. And now, twenty-five years later, it was my turn. Playing live for the Holy Father was an indescribable experience \u2014 and when he signed my violin and said to me, \u2018Play,\u2019 it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.\u201d In Europe, many Roma and Sinti communities still face deep social challenges \u2014 from isolation and limited access to education, to the struggles of poverty that can easily lead to crime and substance abuse. In response, the Church supports initiatives that build bridges of inclusion \u2014 such as the project \u201cNo Name per il Sociale\u201d in Scampia. Daria Tartamella is an educator for the project called \u201cQuattro Talenti\u201d sponsored by \u201cNo Name per il Sociale.\u201d She shared, \u201cFor me, today is an emotional moment \u2014 because it means community. I\u2019m part of the Gypsy community, even if I\u2019m Sinti and not Rom, and this day allows us to meet face to face, to recognize that we share the same culture, and to say that we are one people. Right now, it\u2019s essential that religious communities take an interest in these issues \u2014 especially in the absence of a State that does so.\u201d That mission bears fruitful results with medical students participating in the \u201cQuattro Talenti\u201d project like Mitat Jasari, who dreams of becoming a doctor. He said, \u201cI want the young people of my community not to give up on their studies, but to keep going \u2014 to build a future, change our generation, and carry it forward.\u201d The Roma and Sinti communities often live on the margins, such as in the encampment adjacent to Santa Maria della Misericordia, where Father Stefano Meloni served for around 20 years \u2014 offering not only pastoral care but also education, friendship, and daily support. Father Stefano Meloni says it is not only about giving \u2014 it\u2019s also about learning from them the values that our modern world sometimes forgets. He added: \u201cWell, they certainly teach us many values that we may have somewhat lost \u2014 the sense of being together, of helping one another. Perhaps those who live fragility more intensely, those who live on the margins, are the very ones who can help each other \u2014 and they do help each other. So, in that sense, they definitely teach us something. They teach us the value of family. Dragan is the second of his children, and of course, for them, roots are important \u2014 family is important.\u201d Silviana is a parishioner at Santa Maria della Misericordia in Rome. She shared, \u201cTo tell you the truth, when my husband was in prison, [Father Meloni] was the only one who truly helped us. He brought us food, gave us money \u2014 it\u2019s true, I can\u2019t deny it \u2014 he really saved us.\u201d Silviana added, \u201cWhen I was going through a hard time, he was always there for me. I\u2019d go to him, cry, and let it all out \u2014 and he would listen. Even now, I often call just to ask if he\u2019s okay, to make sure nothing\u2019s happened. I always want to be there for him, just as he was there for my children and for me.\u201d The Roma and Sinti face many hardships and often struggle for social inclusion, yet through the work of Father Stefano Meloni, the Church\u2019s outreach, and the attention of the Holy Father, hope continues to grow on the margins. Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Camera by Giampiero Passalia, Sergio Natoli; Video Edited by Ilaria Chimenti Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Alexey Gotovskiy Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. 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