The young Italians received Pope Francis with joy and enthusiasm.
Before half past six in the afternoon, Francis appeared at Circus Massimo in Rome to celebrate this great encounter with some 50,000 young Italians. A preparatory event for the next synod on young people beginning in October.
The pilgrims gave him this wooden staff as a symbol of wanting to walk with the pope.
Next, Francis listened to some young peoples' experiences and their future prospects. He encouraged them to follow their dreams.
POPE FRANCIS
“Great dreams need God for not to become mirages or delirium of omnipotence. You can dream big things, but doing it alone is dangerous, because you can fall into the delirium of omnipotence. But with God, you do not have to be afraid: go forward. Dream big.”
They also shared with the pope other concerns, such as the pressure of choosing between forming a family or developing their professional lifes.
First Francis asked them to know how to discern good love and then explained why they should not let true love pass by.
POPE FRANCIS
“Young people know when there is true love and when there is enthusiasm disguised as love. You know how to distinguish this well, you are not fools. Therefore, we have the courage to talk about love. Love is not a profession. Love is life and if love comes today, why should I wait three, four or five years to make it grow and make it stable?”
The sense of human suffering was also a question from the young people. The pope, saddened, told them that not all human suffering has an answer.
They also asked Francis about attitudes towards the Church that sometimes fuel scandal. The pope told them that they must have something very clear.
POPE FRANCIS
“Can we criticize this priest, bishop or other Christian if we are ourselves are not able to give witness? Dear young people - and this is the last thing I say - the message of Jesus, the Church without witness is only smoke.”
In the evening the Vigil began. First with a prayer to the Virgin and then with moments of silence, reflection and music ... The pope, before leaving, gave them one last request.
POPE FRANCIS
“This is why I say to you: do not be conformed with the prudent step of those who queue at the end of the line. It takes courage to take a risk to go forward, take a bold and daring leap to dream and realize, like Jesus, the Kingdom of God, and commit yourselves to a more fraternal humanity.”
At night, Rome was filled with thousands of lights to say goodbye to Pope Francis along with music.
