"Let a cry of peace rise from the whole Earth," Pope Francis
said as called on everyone to join him in a day of prayer and fasting for peace
next Saturday, 7 September.
"I
renew," he said, "the invitation to the whole Church to live this day
intensely, and even now I express gratitude to the other Christian brethren, to
the brethren of other religions and to the men and women of good will who
desire to join in this initiative, in places and ways of their own. I
especially urge the Roman faithful and pilgrims to participate in the prayer
vigil here in St. Peter's Square at 7.00 pm, in order to ask the Lord for the
great gift of peace."
About 70,000
people came together in St Peter's Square to hear the pope for the first general
audience after the summer break.
The pope moved among them, as usual, on a
jeep, shaking hands and kissing children. On this occasion, he was also "struck"
by a t-shirt someone threw at him.
The catechesis
for the audience was dedicated instead entirely to World Youth Day in Rio de
Janeiro. "It has been more than a month but I think it is important to look
back at the event for the passage of time allows us to perceive better its meaning".
For the pontiff,
three words describe those days: welcome, celebration and mission. They
"are not just a memory of what happened in Rio, but are soul of our life
and the life of our communities," a tool with which young people
"give hope to the world" and transform it.
"Welcome" is the first "word" that describes
those days-the welcome provided by "families and parishes".
A "pilgrimage
always involves discomfort, but the welcome helps to overcome it and, indeed,
transforms it into an opportunity for knowledge and friendship. Lasting ties are
forged, especially in prayer. The Church also grows throughout the world, like
a network of true friends in Jesus Christ, a network that, as it takes you also
frees you."
"Celebration"
is the
second word "because when a city is filled with young men and women roaming
the streets with flags from around the world, greeting and hugging each other: That
is a real treat."
However, "the biggest
celebration is the celebration of faith. When we praise the Lord together,
singing, listening to the Word of God, we remains in silent worship. This was World
Youth Day's high point. It was the real purpose for the pilgrimage, which we experienced
especially in the great Vigil Mass on Saturday evening and in the final Mass.
Behold, this is the big celebration, the celebration of faith and fellowship,
which begins in this world and will not end."
"Mission" is the
third word. "This [year's] World Youth Day was characterised by a
missionary theme: 'Go and make disciples of all nations!' We have heard the
words of Jesus. This is the mission, He gave all of us. It is the mandate of
the Risen Christ to his disciples: 'Go, step out of yourself, and every
confinement, to bring the light and love of the Gospel to everyone, to the farthest
peripheries of existence! It was this mandate from Jesus that I entrusted on the
young people that filled Copacabana Beach for as far as the eye could see."
As there and then,
Francis and young people interacted directly with one another, with the pope
asking questions and young people answering "yes."
"I would
like to ask all of you, strongly: Do you want to be a hope for God? Do you want
to be a hope, do you? Do you want to be a hope for the Church?"
"To a young
heart that welcomes Christ's love and becomes hope for others," their "Yes" represents
as "a huge force!"
"You, young men
and women, young people, you must turn us into hope, turn yourselves into hope!
Open the doors a new world of hope. This is your task. Do you want to be a hope
for us all?"
Another "Yes" came
from the crowd.
"Let us think
about what this multitude of young people means; those who met the risen Christ
in Rio de Janeiro, who bring his love in the life of every day, experience him,
and communicate him. They do not make it into the newspapers because they do
not commit violent acts, or cause any scandals, and therefore become newsworthy.
But if they remain united with Jesus, they will build his kingdom, forward fellowship,
sharing, and works of mercy, and be a powerful force to make the world fairer
and more beautiful, transforming it! I would now ask the young men and women who
are here in the square: Do you have the courage to take up this
challenge?"
"Yes," they
answered.
"Are you
moved by this power of love, power of love, and mercy so as to have the courage
and desire to change the world?"
"Yes," they
answered.