International youth united in the heart of Rome
Lisbon's youth receive the World Youth Day 2023 cross
December 20, 2020 - Pablo Arias.
On November 22nd, in St. Peter’s Basilica, the symbols of WYD were presented: the cross and the copy of the icon Salus Populi Romani. Panama had guarded them for the 2019 edition of WYD, now it gave them to the Portuguese youth, who are preparing with great courage for the new appointment in 2023.
Small delegations made the passage of the symbols, but the international youth were able to witness such an event after the celebration of the Mass of Christ the King presided by Pope Francis, in which he exhorted the youth to look at the face of Christ in all realities. In the words of the Holy Father, Jesus spoke to our hearts saying “I am there, young man who seeks to realize the dreams of life”.
As always, the Pope encouraged young people to long for and to reach for the highest dreams. He centered his message on the realization of dreams and expressed: “the Lord does not want us to be parted from life, but to move towards higher goals, with joy and audacity… We are made to realize God’s dreams in this world”.
In conclusion, greeting the world’s youth, he reminded us that “we become what we choose, for better and for worse. Thus, through the Gospel in the celebration of Christ the King, he exhorted to give glory to God through works of mercy and finally announced that he would move the diocesan celebration of WYD from Palm Sunday to Christ the King Sunday, where the event would be “centered on the mystery of Jesus Christ the Redeemer of man” he concluded.
Lisbon is preparing for its great appointment in August 2023 with the motto “Mary rose and departed without delay” (Lk 1:39). With its logo presented on October 16, and even with some setbacks, hope is renewed and with courage we hope to meet again to proclaim the Pope’s invitation: “Shout with your lives that Christ lives, that Christ reigns, that Christ is Lord.