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The expression “ad limina apostolorum” comes from Latin and means “to the thresholds of the apostles.” During this time, the bishops visit the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, as well as the various dicasteries of the Roman Curia, ending with a meeting with the Pope.
By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
The Catholic Bishops of Uganda, under their umbrella body, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), are currently in Rome to participate in the traditional “ad limina apostolorum” visit, a significant moment in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
The expression “ad limina apostolorum” comes from Latin and means “to the thresholds of the apostles.” During this time, the bishops visit the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, as well as the various dicasteries of the Roman Curia, ending with a meeting with the Pope.
The Catholic Bishops who left Uganda on Saturday, March 14, had the celebration of the Holy Mass today in the Basilica of St. John Lateran which is the Cathedral of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. This is the oldest Basilica. Their Ad Limina Visit is expected to conclude on March 21, 2026. Every serving bishop (not emeritus bishops) has made the ad limina visit meaning there are 18 Catholic Bishops from the 19 Dioceses (Jinja Diocese is under the Apostolic Administration of His Grace Emmanuel Obbo who is the Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese).
The spiritual heart of the ad limina visit are Masses at the 4 major Papal Basilicas of Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major. In addition, the bishops will meet with officials from the different dicasteries and offices of the Roman Curia. The visit also provides an opportunity for the bishops to receive guidance, encouragement, direction and an update from Vatican authorities on matters concerning faith, Church governance, and evangelization.
The Ad Limina Visit is a mandatory and periodic undertaken by Catholic bishops from around the world to Rome, typically every five years whereby each Episcopal Conference is scheduled according to a plan set by the Holy See. The visit provides bishops with the opportunity to meet with the Pope and officials of the Vatican to present reports on the pastoral and administrative state of their Dioceses.
According to Rev. Fr. Miguel Silvestre of the Work of the Church, an institution of pontifical right entrusted with the mission of welcoming the prelates and facilitating their stay in the Holy City (Rome) notes that although there is no specific date for the institution of the ad limina visit, many accounts trace its origin back to the fourth century.
Fr. Silvestre explained that in the sixth century, the obligation of the ad limina visit properly began and was later extended universally, with various regulations, until it was formally established by canon law as it exists today. It was St. John Paul II who gave a new and renewed impetus to this type of visit by bishops with the Holy Father.
Fr. Silvestre emphasized the importance of the ad limina meetings, where “the ecclesial and hierarchical communion of the entire episcopate of a country is manifested in a concrete way, as particular [local] Churches, among themselves and with the universal Church, through their union with the Holy Father.”
During the visit, the Catholic Bishops of Ugandan will have an opportunity to meet the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV as a group for the first time since his election as Pope in May 2025 and hold discussions with leaders of various Vatican departments.
In meeting with the Holy Father, each Bishop will present a “quinquennial report” which is a detailed report on the state of a diocese. It is an update on the activities of the bishop and diocese in several areas, including the liturgical and sacramental life of the local Church, Catholic education, evangelization, communications, social teaching of the Church, the financial state of the diocese among others.
The Ad Limina visit strengthens the unity between local Churches (Dioceses) and the Holy Father. A key spiritual highlight of the pilgrimage is prayer at the tombs of the Apostles, particularly Saint Peter the Apostle and Paul the Apostle, where the bishops renew their commitment to the apostolic mission of the Church.
The visit further provides bishops with an opportunity for reflection and renewal. It allows each bishop to deepen his responsibility as a shepherd of God’s people and to return, strengthened and affirmed by the successor of the Apostle Peter who is the Pope.
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