The Pope has had his annual Lenten meeting with the clergy of the Diocese of Rome in which he spoke of matters liturgical. But before the Pope appeared, the assembled clergy were addressed by the Cardinal Vicar, Agostino Vallini, who has care of the day-to-day running of the diocese. Among other things, the cardinal had this to say about the art of preaching:
'A good homily leaves its mark,' he said, while a homily 'that is lacking does not bear fruit and, on the contrary, can even make people give up on Mass.' 'We want our words to set people's hearts on fire' and want the faithful 'to be enlightened and encouraged to live a new life and never be forced to suffer through our homilies,' he said.
