World Youth Day is one of the most important events of the Catholic Church. For a few days, millions of young people from all over the world gather together in a city the Pope has chosen.
YAGO DE LA CIERVA
Executive Director, World Youth Day Madrid
These great events of the Church are great activities at the service of pastoral ministry. The key to them is the spiritual fruit that is produced, in particular, with young people. Everything is understood as an instrument to transmit the Gospel to new generations.
But, not everyone can attend World Youth Day in person. Many will follow it via TV, radio or social media.
A group of communication students from Rome's Pontifical University of the Holy Cross will travel to Lisbon to assist the organizing committee.
DANIELE SEBASTIANELLI
Communications Professor, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
We are a group of 15 people. Of these 15 people, two are teachers, 13 are students and two are alumni: one from Mexico and one from Brazil. The important thing is that we are volunteering.
A small group of us will work on social media and some will work with radio. Others will be in charge of the various languages for the website and some will be in the international press room.
One of the students going to Lisbon as a communication volunteer is Heriberto Garcia. The young man, who is well known on social media, hopes to be 'the eyes' of what is happening in Portugal for all those who will watch from afar.
FR. HERIBERTO GARCÍA
Volunteer, World Youth Day Lisbon
For many young people, it is important because most of them experience World Youth Day from a distance. Not all of them can go. So, it is through our eyes that they will have the experience of all these young people who have a very lively faith and are there to meet the pope and others. It is a great responsibility and, at the same time, I am very hopeful that I will also learn from my experience.
More than 20,000 volunteers from over 140 countries are registered to help from August 2 to 6 in Lisbon. For them, this is an experience to work as a team and meet other young people who share a common thread: their faith.
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