ChristianityDemocratic Republic of the CongoGeneral NewsLisbonMorePope FrancisPortugalReligion Pope Concludes World Youth Day with 1.5 Million Attendees and Encourages Fearless Pursuit of Dreams by Ethan Kim August 6, 2023 written by Ethan Kim August 6, 2023 4 comments Bookmark 40 Pope Francis concluded World Youth Day in Portugal with a momentous open-air Mass attended by an estimated 1.5 million people, where he conveyed an inspiring message to the youth. Addressing the vast crowd of pilgrims, many of whom camped out overnight for the grand finale of the Catholic festival, Pope Francis urged them not to be afraid. Throughout his five-day trip to Portugal, Pope Francis has displayed his characteristic spontaneity by deviating from his prepared speeches, engaging directly with the massive crowds. While in Lisbon, where he felt at ease among Spanish-speaking attendees who appreciated his conversational style, the Pope emphasized the importance of young people following their dreams and not fearing failure. This sentiment echoed the theme frequently voiced by St. John Paul II during his quarter-century of World Youth Days. Pope Francis emphasized the vital role of the youth in shaping the world and working for justice and peace. He stressed that the Church and the world need the young generation as much as the earth needs rain, encouraging them to invest their energy and creativity to bring about positive change. During the event, the Pope maintained an inclusive tone, emphasizing that everyone has a place in the Church, and it should be seen as a “field hospital” for wounded souls, welcoming all. His message resonated deeply with the young attendees, who endured scorching temperatures to participate in the Mass and vigil service. The Pope’s focus on inclusivity and acceptance struck a chord with Doriane Kilundu, a pilgrim from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who expressed the importance of embracing people from different backgrounds and understanding that they are all part of one global community. Pope Francis’ trip to Portugal was marked by informal interactions with young people, replacing formal speeches with off-the-cuff conversations, reflecting his good health and vitality. His words and presence left a lasting impact on the attendees, who felt grateful for the opportunity to come together as a diverse community of faith. (Note: The text has been paraphrased and expanded to provide a comprehensive summary of the original news piece.) Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about World Youth DayWhat is World Youth Day?How many attendees were there at World Youth Day in Portugal?What did Pope Francis emphasize during the event?How did Pope Francis engage with the attendees?What was the message of inclusivity from Pope Francis?How did the attendees react to the event?More about World Youth Day Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about World Youth Day What is World Youth Day? World Youth Day is a Catholic event that gathers young people from around the world to celebrate their faith and engage in spiritual activities. It is organized by the Catholic Church and led by the Pope. How many attendees were there at World Youth Day in Portugal? An estimated 1.5 million people attended World Youth Day in Portugal, making it a massive and significant gathering of young Catholics from various countries. What did Pope Francis emphasize during the event? Pope Francis emphasized the importance of young people following their dreams and not being afraid of failure. He encouraged them to work for justice and peace, as the Church and the world greatly need their energy and creativity. How did Pope Francis engage with the attendees? Throughout the event, Pope Francis deviated from his prepared speeches and engaged in spontaneous conversations with the young attendees. His informal and conversational style resonated well with the audience. What was the message of inclusivity from Pope Francis? Pope Francis conveyed a message of inclusivity, stating that “everyone, everyone, everyone” has a place in the Church. He emphasized that the Church should be a welcoming “field hospital” for wounded souls, embracing people from all backgrounds. How did the attendees react to the event? The young attendees expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for the Pope’s words and presence. Despite challenging conditions, such as high temperatures, they actively participated in the Mass and other activities, feeling grateful for the opportunity to be part of a diverse global community of faith. More about World Youth Day “Pope wraps up World Youth Day with 1.5 million attendees and urges: ‘Do not be afraid of failing'” (AP News): Link “World Youth Day 2023 Lisbon” (Official Website): Link “Pope Francis urges young people to follow their dreams at World Youth Day” (Catholic News Agency): Link “Pope Francis’ Spontaneity Shines During World Youth Day in Portugal” (The New York Times): Link “World Youth Day: Pope Francis urges young people to embrace inclusivity and acceptance” (Reuters): Link You Might Be Interested In Engineer from Palestine Dies in Airstrike After Returning to Gaza City Surge in Illegal Border Crossings Dominated by Venezuelans According to September Data IRS whistleblowers will testify to Congress as they claim ‘slow-walking’ of the Hunter Biden case The Golden Globe Nominees Unveiled: The Commencement of Barbenheimer’s Awards Season – An Analysis Thousands Forced to Flee Greek Seaside Resorts as Wildfires Raged New Zealand held a Bird of the Century competition. John Oliver got this puking bird to win Catholic ChurchChristianityDemocratic Republic of the CongoDreamsfaithFearlessnessGeneral NewsinclusivityInspirational MessageLisbonMassPope FrancisPortugalWorld Youth DayYouth Gathering Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Ethan Kim Follow Author Ethan Kim is a world news reporter who covers breaking news stories from around the globe. He has reported on everything from natural disasters to international conflicts, and he is dedicated to bringing his readers accurate and timely information. previous post Pope presides over solemn Way of the Cross prayer as Portugal government weighs in on LGBTQ+ protest next post Henrietta Lacks’ family settles lawsuit with a biotech company that used her cells without consent You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... 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Reply Sarah87 August 7, 2023 - 7:53 am pope francis wrapping up the world youth day in portugal was so aweesum! 1.5 milion ppl came to lisbon, can u belive it? he told them to follow their dreams and not b afraid of failin! so inspirin! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ