Pope Francis arrived at the opening ceremony of World Youth Day in Lisbon in the popemobile accompanied by the chants of hundreds of thousands of young people from countries all over the world.
A group of young people shared their concerns about living their faith in the world with the Pope through personal letters read in several languages. Afterwards, a religious sister gave them to Pope Francis.
During his speech, the Pope responded to some of the young people's concerns, such as their fear of not being accepted or the concern that there was no room for error in the Church.
POPE FRANCIS
In the Church, there is room for everyone. 'Father, but I am a disgraced person; I am a poor person. Is there room for me?'' There is room for everyone. Everyone together each one in his own language. Everyone in his own language, repeat after me: 'Everyone, everyone, everyone' ('Everyone, everyone, everyone'). I can't hear you. Again: ' Everyone, everyone, everyone.' And it's the Church that's the mother of all. There is room for everyone.
This was Pope Francis' message to the young people at the first official meeting of WYD—that they should not be afraid because each person is important to God.
POPE FRANCIS
Do not be afraid. Have courage. Go forward knowing that we are redeemed by God's love for us. God loves us. Let us all say it together: 'God loves us.' (God loves us) Louder, I can't hear you. I can't hear you! Thank you!
Raising their voices in unison with the Pope's words, the opening ceremony of World Youth Day in Lisbon came to an end.
CA
TR: KG
