Pope Francis has sent a video message to the teens and young adults preparing to attend World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, in August. Source: CNA.
“I’ll see you in Lisbon,” he said, according to an English translation of the message, delivered in Spanish. The message was published on the Vatican’s YouTube page yesterday, just under three months before the August 1-6 international gathering.
“Dear young people, you are getting ready for World Youth Day,” Pope Francis said. “There are three months to go. I can imagine the things you must have on your mind … how you’re going to: make it happen, request your work or study permit, get what you need for your trip, so many concerns, but always looking towards that horizon, that dream.”
To participate in World Youth Day is something beautiful, he said.
“Prepare yourselves with that enthusiasm. Put hope in that. Have hope … because one grows a lot at an event like WYD.”
World Youth Day was established by Pope John Paul II in 1985. The weeklong gathering usually attracts hundreds of thousands of young people.
In his video message, Pope Francis also shared “a secret” to preparing well for World Youth Day.
“To prepare well, it’s good to look towards your roots,” he said, encouraging young people to spend time with the elderly before the gathering.
“Many of you have grandparents. Visit your grandparents and ask them: ‘In your time did World Youth Day exist?’ — Surely not. ‘And what do you think I must do?’ Talk a little with your grandparents. They’ll give you wisdom.”
FULL STORY
‘See you in Lisbon,’ Pope Francis shares message 3 months before World Youth Day 2023 (By Hannah Brockhaus, CNA)
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