After arriving in Myanmar on Monday, the pope was welcomed to his final Mass Thursday morning with church bells resounding and the youth cheering for him.
Pope Francis was rejuvenated at seeing the 1,500 youth, who were waving official Vatican flags and shouting at him as he passed by in the popemobile.
“Papa, papa.”
The energy of the youth was contagious.
The pope's first action was greeting the handicapped before he prepared for Mass by kissing the crucifix and using a little branch to bless himself and others with Holy Water before he made his way into St. Mary's Cathedral in Yangon.
It was a solemn Mass on the feast of St. Andrew the apostle, where the pope made sure to honor the Blessed Mother in the parish dedicated to her Immaculate Conception.
The youth, who also came from Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan, were clothed in traditional colorful outfits, including everything from their makeup to their hats.
The pope encouraged them to “make themselves heard” and challenged them to give all their fears, worries, hopes and dreams to God, mentioning many saints who he said can inspire young people today. Then, he thanked them for welcoming him to their country.
POPE FRANCIS
“As my visit to your beautiful country draws to a close, I join you in thanking God for the many graces we have received in these days.”
In closing, he commended all the youth and their families to the Blessed Mother before he set out for Bangladesh.
