Pope Francis pays tribute to WYD volunteer

Thousands of jubilant young people gathered in the street outside the Archbishop of Krakow's residence on Wednesday evening, to see Pope Francis speaking at the window. The Holy Father is staying here during his visit to Krakow - in the house which was once the home of the Archbishop of Krakow, Karol Wojtyla. He would address the crowds from this window while he was archbishop and later when he returned to the city as Pope. Pope Francis has now continued that tradition.

He told them he could see they were here with great joy in their hearts - but then he said he had some bad news to tell them.

Let us be silent, the Pope said, as he spoke to them about a 22 year old WYD volunteer who died on the 2nd of July of cancer having been diagnosed in November of last year. This boy, the Holy Father said had worked very hard for this World Youth Day and had even booked to travel with him on a tram ride during this festival.

The Holy Father noted the faith of this young man and told the youth below the volunteer was looking down on them. Pope Francis went on to ask the young people to pray in their hearts, reiterating that the young man was with them and that this was a grace.

Concluding his remarks, the Pope joked that the young pilgrims should do what young people do, make noise during these nights. He concluded by saying "pray for me."