Throughout the weekend, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrived in Lisbon. During the final sendoff Mass, Portuguese authorities estimate that around 1.5 million people were present.
During his homily, Pope Francis repeated these words to the young people there.
POPE FRANCIS
Dear young people, I would like to look each one of you in the eyes and tell you: do not be afraid.
He told them not to be afraid of the possible failures of life and to embrace tasks that they might not know the outcome of. Above all, the Pope told the youth to not fear love and that to love does not mean to be perfect.
POPE FRANCIS
We do not shine when we show a perfect image... neat and polished, no, no. Even if we feel strong and successful...strong, successful, but not luminous. No. We become luminous and we shine when we welcome Jesus and learn to love like him.
The Mass was concelebrated by 10,000 priests and 700 bishops.
Among the pilgrims, tiredness was evident. Most of them slept in sleeping bags right there in the park.
Pope Francis also invited those present to participate in two events. In Rome, in 2025, for the Youth Jubilee, and the next World Youth Day, in 2027, whose host country he revealed on the spot.
POPE FRANCIS
It will be in South Korea, in Seoul.
The South Korean pilgrims were overjoyed. While Pope Francis did visit the country in 2014, a World Youth Day has never been held in South Korea before.
JRB
TR: AT
