Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2013)

Date: 23-28 July 2013

Pontificate: Pope Francis

Theme: “Go and make disciples of all nations!” (cf. Matthew 28:19)

Song: Esperança do Amanhecer (Hope at dawn)

WYD 2013 provided an occasion for the world to get to know Pope Francis, the new head of the Catholic Church. He immediately emphasised the availability and welcome that Jesus reserves for everyone, as long as their heart is open and willing. A life defined by love, patience and expectation is the key to building a different and better society, the kind called for by Pope Paul VI at the close of the Vatican Council. The message was written by Pope Benedict XVI, and he quoted from Pope Paul VI’s message to young people in 1965 when closing the Council. “… it is you who are to receive the torch from the hands of your elders (…). It is you who, taking up the best of the example and the teaching of your parents and your teachers, will shape the society of tomorrow. You will either be saved or perish with it.” The invitation is therefore to build a better society, capable of giving due and limited weight to materialism and recognising the absolute value of love, the only way on which to build union between people, for “the salvation of humanity depends on this, as well as the salvation of each of us”. He concludes by saying, “never forget that the first act of love that you can do for others is to share the source of our hope (…) do not be afraid to suggest an encounter with Christ to people of your own age. Ask the Holy Spirit for help. The Spirit will show you the way to know and love Christ even more fully, and to be creative in spreading the Gospel.” During the vigil, Pope Francis encouraged the young people there by saying, “Dear young people, please, do not be observers of life, but get involved. Immerse yourselves in the reality of life, as Jesus did”.

All of the Holy Father’s speeches at WYD in Rio de Janeiro: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2013/outside/documents/papa-francesco-gmg-rio-de-janeiro-2013.html

Summary based on the data sheet published by frontierarieti.com, organ of the Diocese of Rieti.