His Holiness Pope Francis welcomed a special audience of 250 young people in the Vatican, Rome. They came from around 100 countries. The Eleventh International Youth Forum, which focused on the theme of “Youth in action in a Synodal Church”. The Pontiff addresses to the young people to be the prime protagonists of the pastoral conversion and so greatly desired by the Synod Fathers. His Holiness Pope Francis recalls the Solemnity of Corpus Christi as a coincidence to the Forum. His Holiness narrated with the example of the disciples meeting Jesus Christ at Emmaus. The journey of the disciples through the night was illuminated by the presence of Christ as lighting up their lives.
Today’s youth are called to be ‘light in the dark night’. And also be an experience for many youths who “do not yet know the joy of new life in Jesus”. His Holiness Pope Francis reminded the young people, “You are the today of God, the today of the Church, the Church needs you”. He further added, “so that she (the church) can be herself”. The 16th International World Youth Day in Panama was held in January 2019, His Holiness Pope Francis recalled the journey and asked the young people to prepare for the next International World Youth Day which is to be held in Lisbon, Portugal in 2022. The theme would be ‘Mary arose and went with haste’ (Lk 1:39).
The Pontiff needs the youth to meditate on two scriptural passages: (Luke 7:14) Young man, I say to you, Arise! (Acts 26:16) Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen. These verses serve as the themes for the World Youth Days in 2020 and 2021. The Pontiff said he hopes that there will be a “harmonious connection” between the journey to the Lisbon World Youth Day, and the post-synodal journey. His Holiness Pope Francis urges in conclusion. “Like Mary, and in union with her, may your daily life bring to others all your love and joy”.
Source: Vatican news
