Closing youth festival in Portugal, pope shares 'old man's' dream of peace
By Philip Pullella and Catarina Demony
LISBON (Reuters) — Pope Francis closed an international festival of Catholic Youth on Sunday with a huge outdoor Mass and his own «I have a dream» speech, saying it was for world peace, especially for Ukraine.
About 1.5 million people attended his closing Mass at a riverside park in the Portuguese capital, the Vatican said, quoting local authorities. Many of the faithful slept outdoors, having attending a vigil there on Saturday night, and they gathered in sweltering heat.
Speaking after the Mass, the 86-year-old Francis urged the young people to take the fraternal experiences of the six-day jamboree back home and apply them to their daily lives.
«Dear friends, allow me, this old man, to share with you young people a dream that I carry within me: it is the dream of peace, the dream of young people praying for peace, living in peace and building a peaceful future,» Francis said.
«As you return home, please continue to pray for peace. What is more, you are a sign of peace for the world, showing how different nationalities, languages and histories can unite instead of divide. You are the hope of a different world,» he said.
He asked them to think of the young people who could not come to the event because of the world's many armed conflicts and wars, adding: «In thinking of this continent, I feel great sorrow for beloved Ukraine, which continues to suffer greatly».
Francis, who was returning to Rome on Sunday evening after an event to thank volunteers at the World Youth Day festival, met a delegation of 15 young people from Ukraine during his trip.
10,000 PRIESTS ON HAND
Sunday's Mass was concelebrated by 700 bishops and 10,000 priests, who distributed communion to the huge crowd.
Ma
Read more on investing.com
