The pope has chosen the Sanctuary of Loreto as the site to sign his magisterial document on youth.
It is one of the most visited sanctuaries in Italy, and a symbolic place to initially understand the keys to Pope Francis' text that is about to be published.
In Loreto, tradition has it that the Shrine's walls are from the same house in which Mary was born in Nazareth. They are still honored today, remembering where Mary made the greatest decision of her life, to be the mother of Jesus.
Carmelite Antonio Maria Sicari, one of the most widely read authors of spirituality in Italy, explains the significance.
FR. ANTONIO MARÍA SICARI
'In the house of Nazareth, prayer was daily conversations between Mother and Son. It was Mary taking care of Jesus, making him food, washing his clothes, dressing him. Joseph worked, and the Child watched and called him 'abba.' But what is Nazareth? Nazareth is the point where God enters the story.'
Pope Francis wrote this letter in Spanish to young people and about young people. It is entitled “Vive Cristo, esperanza nuestra,” translating to 'Live, Christ, our hope' in English.
The Vatican leaked a photo of the first page, and will publish the full text in the coming weeks, once editions are prepared in the various languages.
