Pope Francis expressed his deep gratitude to the 25 thousand volunteers from over 150 countries for their tremendous generosity, dedication and strong faith. The volunteers had worked tirelessly, serving with joy and enthusiasm, making the event a huge success through their hard work and spirit of selflessness. The Pope praised the volunteers for exemplifying the virtues of charity, service and sacrifice, inspiring believers across the globe with their witness of the Gospel in action. He thanked them for giving up their time and energy to make World Youth Day a memorable experience for all the participants, spreading the message of hope and fellowship through their kindness and willingness to help others.
During one of his last encounters with youth in Lisbon on a sunny Sunday afternoon, the Pope interacted with 25 thousand volunteers assisting with World Youth Day events at an outdoor gathering. The volunteers had traveled from over 150 different nations representing every corner of the globe. They came together to help organize the large gathering on that warm afternoon.
Celebration and joy
The event began with a video showcasing highlights from previous World Youth Days to relive the joyous celebrations. Participants from around the globe shared their experiences through interviews and clips from World Youth Day events.
Three young volunteers then gave live testimonies to the Pope about how World Youth Day transformed their faith.
Chiara, who works in youth ministry in Germany, said the event allowed her to tangibly experience God’s immense love and acceptance. She felt part of a universal Church representing people from all over the world. A true family and beautiful mosaic of cultures and believers searching for His love.
Francisco from Portugal had just graduated but spent a year volunteering for World Youth Day preparations. He said it required hard work but was a wonderful experience of personal growth, seeing Jesus reflected in the smiles of others.
Filipe, a Portuguese volunteer, spoke of how World Youth Day helped draw him nearer to the Lord and recognize His presence in every person he met. He expressed his lifelong aspiration to serve Christ and others in pursuit of peace in the world.
Thank you to all
The Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, expressed his gratitude to the Pope for his presence and participation. He said everyone would cherish the memories and experiences in their hearts for years to come. He thanked the volunteers for their dedication, referring to them as the “World Youth Day 2023 generation”.
Pope Francis then delivered parts of his prepared remarks and spoke spontaneously, expressing profound gratitude and praise for everyone’s hard work in making these unforgettable days possible. He recalled how for months, behind the scenes with little recognition, everyone worked as a real team in service of all. Those who labored with little fanfare set an example through their hard work and spirit of service.
Joy of service
The Pope said that despite seeing signs of fatigue at times, he always noticed joy in their eyes from serving others. He thanked them for their generosity in rushing to meet and serve others “in the name of Jesus.”
Recalling the testimonies of Chiara, Francisco and Filipe, the Pope noted how all three spoke of “a special encounter with Jesus” and how that “most beautiful” experience became the “engine” propelling them forward in their lives of faith and service. That encounter helped sustain and motivate them
“Renewing the personal encounter with Jesus every day is the heart of the Christian life.”
The Pope encouraged the young volunteers to renew their encounter with Jesus every day, not just intellectually but also in their hearts. He noted that it is a double encounter – an encounter with Jesus and an encounter with Him in the lives of the people they meet and help.
Be “surfers of love“
In conclusion, the Pope recalled that north of Lisbon is the coastal town of Nazaré known for waves that can reach 30 meters high, attracting surfers and visitors. The Pope said the volunteers encountered waves just as high with the 1.5 million young people who came to Lisbon for World Youth Day. But with God’s help and their generosity and support, they were able to navigate through those massive waves, just like surfers riding the waves at Nazaré.
