Teenage pilgrims descend on Rome

Confession in St Peter's Square with Pope

More than 70,000 teenagers from all over the world arrived in Rome on Saturday for a special three-day Jubilee event entitled 'Growing merciful as the Father,' The event kicked off with a pilgrimage to the Holy Door, followed by confessions which were heard by several priests and Pope Francis himself, in the colonnade of St Peter's Basilica.

That evening there was a youth youth gathering in Rome's Olympic Stadium. Pope Francis was unable to attend that, but he sent a video message which was greeted with loud applause by the young people.

In his message, the Holy Father apologised for not being able to make it for the event in Rome's Olympic Stadium, but thanked them for their joyful presence.

Mentioning their Saturday morning pilgrimage to St Peter's Basilica, the Pope reminded the teens that the Holy Door represents their encounter with Christ, who he said, "introduces us to the love of the Father and invites us to become merciful, just as He is merciful."

"Being merciful means being able to forgive. And this is not easy, is it? Sometimes it happens that, in my family, at school, in the parish, at the gym, or while we're having fun, someone does something and we feel offended; or maybe in a nervous moment we offend someone. Let us not remain in that state of anger or desire for revenge! It serves nothing! It's like a woodworm which eats our soul and doesn't allow us to be happy. Let us forgive! Let us forgive and forget the offence we've received, so that we may understand Jesus' teaching and be his disciples and witnesses of mercy," the Pope said.

The Holy Father concluded his video message with an analogy to which the teens could easily relate, comparing their relationship with Jesus to mobile phone coverage.

"How often it happens to me to have to call a friend but I can't get through because there is no service. I'm sure this also happens to you, that you're cell phone doesn't connect in some places... Well, remember that if Jesus is not in your life, it's as if there is no [phone] service! You can't get in contact with someone and you close yourself off. Let us be where there is service! In your family, parish, or school, so that we will always have something good and true to say in this world."

The young people gathered once again in St Peter's Square on Sunday for the Regina Coeli with Pope Francis.

The Holy Father told them: " At the end of this Jubilee celebration, my thoughts turn in a particular to you, dear boys and girls. You have come from Italy and from all over the world to experience moments of faith and fraternal conviviality. Thank you for your joyful and boisterous testimony. Go forward with courage!

"Yesterday, in Burgos (Spain), saw the beatification of priest Valentín Palencia Marquina and four of his fellow young martyrs, killed for their faith during the Spanish Civil War. We praise the Lord for these courageous witnesses and to beseech their intercession to free the world from all violence.

"I am always concerned about the brother bishops, priests and religious, Catholic and Orthodox, seized a long time ago in Syria. May the merciful God touch the hearts of the kidnappers and grant that our brothers and sisters will be freed as soon as possible and allowed to return to their communities. This is why I call you all to pray, not to mention other people abducted in the world.

"Let us entrust all our aspirations and our hopes to the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy.

At the end of the prayer the Pope said: "Dear young people, you celebrated the Jubilee: Now return home with the joy of your Christian identity. Standing, head held high, and with your ID card in your hands and in your heart! May the Lord accompany you. And, please pray for me. Thank you."

Source: Vatican Radio