The Diocese of Rome will be gathering for three days this coming week to focus on prayer, action and suffering as sources of hope in the light of the Resurrection. Pope Benedict will personally open the conference on Monday.

The Holy Father will inaugurate the congress in the basilica of St. John Lateran, at 7:30 p.m. on Monday June 9. The ecclesial congress will run from June 9-12 and will focus on the theme: "Jesus has risen. Educating for hope in prayer, in action and in suffering."

The Vicariate of Rome, which announced the congress, explains that “pastors, priests, religious and above all lay people and youth from diocesan parishes, associations and movements are all invited to attend.”

Attendees will also reflect on the implementation of the diocesan pastoral programme for the coming year.