This was the long line that surrounded the walls of Vatican City to enter the Paul VI Audience Hall a few minutes before the General Audience.
Groups of pilgrims did not want to miss Pope Francis' first official public event after his summer vacation. And many of them came directly from WYD to see the Pope.
JANY CEDEÑO
Pilgrim, Archdiocese of Portoviejo
It's a phenomenal experience. It is unbelievable. I think that for all young people and all of us who carry this religion within us, it is something that simply cannot be explained. The emotion of seeing him, of feeling him close and, even more, for those of us who were able to be near to him, it is something that there are really no words to describe.
Vinicio left Ecuador with one goal: to give this hat to Pope Francis. It was made by people from his country with limited resources.
VINICIO MENÉNDEZ
Pilgrim, Archdiocese of Portoviejo
When I gave it to him, he said, 'It's pretty.' But he also said, 'It's sunny outside.' And I told him: 'I have one. This one is for you, representing my country, Ecuador, and, mainly, Manabí.'' And he took it and put it on. That's the best thing that could have happened to me.
This group from Tonga, a country in the South Pacific Ocean, traveled almost 11,000 miles to be at WYD and see the Pope. But at this General Audience in Rome, they were able to greet him.
FR. SIMEON ILLA
It's quite interesting to see the Pope because, most of us in Tonga, we haven't seen the Pope face-to-face. And especially the priest, most of them, they haven't met the Pope; they haven't seen the Pope face-to-face; they haven't kissed the Pope's hands. So we managed to make it today.
For some of the young people at the Audience, Lisbon was not their first WYD. But it did not change the fact that it had been a beautiful experience.
VITALINI LEONE
Pilgrim, Diocese of Tonga
So this year's WYD was my second time. The feeling's still there. It feels like it's your first time as well. It's a great experience and the message is from the Pope and also experiencing it together with, not only my diocese, but also the youth from around the world. It's like creating peace all over the earth. And also you grow your faith spiritually as well in the Catholic Church.
After taking advantage of the trip to Lisbon to visit different European cities, each group will return to their respective countries, excited for the next World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea.
CA
TR: KG
