Pope Francis said this Wednesday that World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon has shown that an alternative world to war is possible and asked world leaders to heed the message of brotherhood from young people.
“While fighting is going on in Ukraine and other parts of the world, and while war is being planned in certain hidden rooms, WYD has shown everyone that another world is possible: a world of brothers and sisters, where the flags of all peoples flapping together., side by side, without hatred, without fear, without weapons,” he said.
The leader of the Catholic Church spoke at Wednesday’s general audience at the Vatican, taking stock of his visit to Portugal for World Youth Day, which was attended by about 1.5 million people between August 1 and 5.
In the same intervention, Pope Francis later questioned whether the “clear message of young people” will be heard by “the great of the earth”.
“We hope the whole world hears them and sees them moving forward,” he added, stating that the WYD has shown that “an alternative to war” was possible.
Francis also spoke some words of encouragement to the Ukrainian people: “Many of you go on a pilgrimage to Jasna Góra (Poland) and to other Marian shrines, so I entrust to you a desire that I carry in my heart: the desire for peace in the world (. ..) Pray for this priceless gift, especially for beloved and tormented Ukraine”.
The pope also assured that he prayed for peace during his journey to Fatima.
“During WYD, I returned to Fátima, to the place of the apparition, and together with some sick young people, I prayed that God would heal the world of the diseases of the soul: pride, lies, enmity, violence. The world is sick of these diseases,” he said.
“I have been praying for peace because there are so many wars in every part of the world,” he added in what was the first general audience after the July break.
The pope had already pointed out during the flight back to Italy that when he was in the sanctuary of Fatima – where he did not read the speech or the prayer he had prepared – despite a public call for peace that was expected, he decided to to do it quietly and without advertising it.
He also said he met “a group of young Ukrainians who brought stories of pain” to WYD, adding that the encounter was “not a holiday trip, a tourist trip, but an encounter with Christ”.
After making sure “his health is fine” and that he has no vision problems, he said he cut or didn’t read the speeches at some WYD ceremonies to better communicate with young people.
The trip, the next edition of which will take place in Seoul in 2027, is considered the largest event of the Catholic Church.
Source: DN
