(ANS – Rio de Janeiro)– For the World Youth Day, yesterday, 25 July, was a busy day and one of powerful emotions. The main actors were, of course, Pope Francis and the young people.

The addresses delivered by the Pope during these days are simple, intense, profound and, above all, practical. There is no room for interpretation. You either accept or reject what he has to say.

Particularly significant are the words Pope Francis addressed to the community of Varginha, a poor area of Rio de Janeiro, and what he said to the young people gathered for the welcome ceremony on the beach at Copacabana, as well as his talk to the young people of Argentine in the Cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, which was obviously not intended only for Argentina. Pope Francis warns against “a philosophy and practice which neglect the two poles of life which are the promise of every people” – the elderly and the young.  

“I would like to say one thing: what do I expect from World Youth Day? I expect trouble, here in Rio.  But I am asking you to create trouble in your dioceses … I want it to go out from here. I want the Church to go out on to the streets. I want us to be on our guard against all kinds of worldliness, against unwillingness to change, against comfort-seeking, against clericalism, against being closed in on ourselves. Parishes, colleges and other institutions must reach out. If not, they become NGOs and the Church becomes an NGO. I hope the bishops and parish priests will forgive me if some of you cause trouble, but that is my advice to you. And I thank you for all you are able to do.”

Equally powerful are the gestures of Pope Francis here in Rio de Janeiro, and they are certainly not the result of well thought-out strategies. Take for example the unplanned stop and the visit to a family in the slum of Varginha, swapping his skull-cap and accepting a drink from a pilgrim as he arrived at Copacabana, blessing and caressing many babies and, above all, paying attention to the people who were close to him during the various ceremonies and meetings. There was also his informal reference to Blessed John Paul II and to his predecessor Benedict XVI, and his prayer for Sophie Morinière who had died in a tragic accident in French Guyana while on her way to Rio de Janeiro.

This is what has created so much sympathy around Pope Francis.

The young people, then, are sharing their faith in different ways. In introducing them to Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro said of them that they had made sacrifices and overcome difficulties in order to get to Rio de Janeiro.

And it’s true! Despite the rain which caused many problems – so much so that the authorities had to move the venue for the Vigil and Mass from Guaratiba to Copacabana – the young pilgrims witnessed to their faith with joy.

Yesterday, from early morning, queues of young people headed towards Copacabana to take part in the welcome ceremony for Pope Francis. Despite the rain and the wet sand, they camped on the beach, waiting patiently for the arrival of the Pope.

The Rector Major was witness to this. Together with some members of the Council, he tried to get to the place where they were to meet the Pope. After a few minutes he stopped to talk to the young people already camped there, to some who were making their way towards the platform, or to some groups from Mexico. On other occasions, he was stopped by young people from the SYM who recognised him.

Published 26/07/2013