14 young people from across the United States met with Pope Francis after his General Audience.
They are pilgrims from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, accompanied by the Archbishop of Philadelphia, Nelson Pérez. Together they traveled to Rome to receive a message from the Pope for the United States' Catholic youth.
In their audience, they gave the Pope letters from
U.S. Catholic youth, and presented him a bracelet with different colors.
The colors are white for purity, blue for wisdom, yellow for joy, and green for unity. I have one as well.
And before going, they heard what Pope Francis had to say to America's youth.
That they be joyful, that they not lose joy.
ABP. NELSON PÉREZ
Archdiocese of Philadelphia, USA
Really the Pope's message was to not lose joy, to not lose hope, because we do live in a world in right now that has a lot of things that could rob us of our joy, wars and all sorts of stuff, and rob us of our hope, but joy and hope really are the source of our strength.
These high school students will take that message with them to the National Catholic Youth Conference next month, where they will put the Pope's words into action for America's Catholic youth.
JULIA ZERBES
Member, National Youth Advisory Council
I think that we are going to try to create a better home for Catholic youth, make it more inspiring, so that they feel more comfortable and that they have a sense of peace with their Church.
The students will spend a week in Rome before heading home to prepare for the annual conference that attracts over 20,000 young Catholics from across the United States.
JM
