The Youth Jubilee began this afternoon, July 29, with the participation of over 250 pilgrims from the Shalom Community, joining other young people from around the world at the inaugural Mass of the Youth Jubilee—one of the most anticipated events in this jubilee year dedicated to hope.
“You are the hope”
From the start of the Eucharist, presided over by Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the celebration was marked by joy and lively enthusiasm from all present, including over 250 pilgrims from the Shalom Community who came from various parts of the world and deeply experienced this opening moment of the Jubilee. There was a special mention for young people in Rome who arrived from conflict zones such as Ukraine and Palestine.
The great surprise came at the end of the Mass when participants were invited to remain in St. Peter’s Square, where the Holy Father appeared in the papamobile to move through the crowd and greet all the pilgrims with words full of motivation and strength:
“The Lord says to you: you are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. Today, your voices, your enthusiasm and cries, all for Jesus Christ, will be heard to the ends of the earth. Today you begin a journey, the Jubilee of Hope. The world needs messages of hope. You are the hope.”
The Holy Father also asked the young people to be “signs of hope, light for Rome, Italy, and the whole world,” by walking together in our faith in Jesus Christ.
Shalom Pilgrims
Starting tomorrow, July 30, the “Dialogues with the City” activities will begin, where young people can participate in various artistic and cultural proposals, including the musical festival “Un Solo Cuore” on July 30 at Piazza del Risorgimento, and the “Giorgio Frassati Encounter,” taking place until August 1 at Piazza dell’Immacolata.
Among the Shalom Community youth participating in the Jubilee are pilgrims from Brazil, the United States, Ireland, Germany, Croatia, France, Poland, Canada, Israel, Mozambique, South Korea, and Nicaragua, among others.
