Pope Francis says “look to the horizon” ahead of WYD
Friday 20th January 2023Pope Francis has released a heartwarming message to young people as the countdown continues to World Youth Day 2023.
The video welcomes the 400,000 young people who have already registered to join him in Lisbon this summer, and invites them to use this experience as an opportunity to “look to horizon” and open their hearts to others.
Pope Francis said: “At this meeting, during World Youth Day, learn always to look towards the horizon, to always look beyond.
“Don’t put a wall up in front of your life. Walls close you in. The horizon makes you grow.
“Always look at the horizon with your eyes, but look, above all, with your heart.
“Open your heart to other cultures, to other boys, to other girls who are also at this World Youth Day.
“Get ready for this: to open horizons, to open your hearts.”
In addition to offering these warm words of advice, Pope Francis also extends an invitation to all young people across the globe to join the World Youth Day celebrations this summer, and hopes even more people will “follow the example” of those who have already registered.
He said: “It calls my attention and fills me with joy that so many people will go to World Youth Day, because they need to participate.
“Some people may say “I’m going as a tourist…” but any young person who goes to World Youth Day goes because, deep down, he or she has the thirst to participate, to share, to tell their experience and receive the experience of others.”
Young adults from our own diocese are among the hundreds of thousands already registered for this year’s event.
If you are interested in joining our Youth Ministry Team in attending World Youth Day in Lisbon, you can find out more here, but be quick! We only have a few places remaining!
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