Guilherme Peixoto (pictured) blends faith with electronic dance music as a DJ priest.

"Padre Guilherme says, ‘If we can't bring them to church, we'll bring the church to them'" said Silvana Pontes.

She acknowledges that while most who patronise Ar de Rock don't go to Mass, some become curious enough to ask about worship times.

Outreach found by accident

What began as a fundraising venture for local churches nearly two decades ago has now become an integral part of the ministry of 49-year-old Peixoto.

Peixoto recently gained global recognition when he was invited to DJ at World Youth Day in Lisbon.

Mixing a dance beat with clips of papal speeches, he delivered a compelling message to an estimated 1.5 million faithful.

His innovative approach aims to bridge the gap between the Church and a younger generation that is increasingly disengaged from traditional religious practices.

"With electronic music, I can take some message. I can be where young people are" Peixoto said a few days after returning to his village, Laúndos, from playing at a large Halloween festival in Italy.

"They can think, 'If it's possible for a priest to be a DJ, it's possible for me to like music and festivals, and be Christian.'"

Peixoto's journey into music began as a response to financial challenges faced by his cash-strapped parish.

He introduced karaoke fundraisers, later transitioning to rock sets on his laptop. The success of these events not only cleared debts but also funded church renovations.

Dancing to Laudato Si'

Today, his DJ sets at the open-air club "Ar de Rock" have become a norm for the community.

"The people are dancing with sentences from ‘Laudato Si','" Peixoto chuckled.

"It's not so much — two-three sentences from the Pope — but if I wasn't there, it's no sentence.

"It's like a small seed, and the Holy Spirit will do his work.

"In the beginning, it was strange but now it's the norm."

They understood the priest is also a person" said Tania Campos, the parish secretary who has been fielding an increasing number of enquiries from post-World Youth Day fans.

Peixoto plans to continue improving his DJ skills to bring a Christian message to audiences who might never have heard of Jesus. At the same time, he remains committed to all regular parish activities.

"It's very important to me not only to be the DJ priest, but be the shepherd of the community," Peixoto said.

"The world is not so closed to Jesus. But you need to speak the language."

Sources

US News

America Magazine

The Church has a duty to accompany gay people on a personal path of spirituality, providing that accompaniment is within the framework of the Catholic Church rules, he told reporters on the plane returning to Rome from World Youth Day (WYD) in Portugal.

He made the comment after a reporter reminded him that during WYD he said the Church was open to "everyone, everyone, everyone".

The reporter challenged the sense of that statement about openness when some Catholics, like women and gay people, did not have the same rights and could not receive some sacraments.

That comment seemed to refer to women not being allowed to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders to become priests of the Catholic Church.

It also referenced same-sex couples not being allowed to contract marriage, which is also a sacrament.

"The Church is open to everyone but there are laws that regulate life inside the church," Francis explained to the reporter.

"According to the legislation, they cannot partake in (some) sacraments. This does not mean that it is closed. Each person encounters God in their own way inside the Church."

Ministers in the Catholic Church must accompany everyone with the patience and love of a mother. That includes those who don't conform to the rules, he explained.

Church law

The Catholic Church teaches that women cannot become priests because Jesus chose only men as his apostles.

Neither does the Church allow same-sex marriage or blessings for same-sex couples. Same-sex attraction is not sinful but same-sex acts are, it teaches.

However, Francis supports civil legislation giving same-sex couples rights in areas such as pensions, health insurance and inheritance.

A welcoming Church for everyone

During one WYD event, Francis said the Church has room for everyone - "including those who make mistakes, who fall or struggle".

He then led the crowd in a chant of "Todos, todos, todos!" (Everyone, everyone, everyone!).

"Who among us has not made a moral error at some point in their lives?" he asked.

Since the start of his papacy 10 years ago, Francis has consistently tried to make the Catholic Church more welcoming and less condemning.

He has sought to welcome all people, including members of the LGBT community, while not changing Church teachings which urge people with same-sex attraction to be chaste.

While pushing through a series of reforms, Francis has constantly walked a delicate line between appealing to more liberal believers and upsetting conservatives.

Among these reforms, he has given more roles to women, particularly in high-ranking Vatican positions.

Pope rejuvenated

On the plane, the Pope said he was rejuvenated by what he had seen at WYD Portugal.

About 1.5 million people attended his closing Mass at a park in Lisbon on Sunday.

Francis said he was impressed with both the size of the crowds at WYD and their behaviour.

He also told reporters who asked after his health, that he has been well since his surgery for an abdominal hernia in June.

Source

• US News

They come from Ternopil, in the western part of their country devastated by the war imposed by Russia since February 24, 2022.

The three young women are among the approximately 300 young Ukrainians - 15 of whom met the pope on August 3 - participating in the World Youth Days (WYD) with the support of L'Œuvre d'Orient, a French Catholic charity.

In the midst of the pilgrims, the Ukrainian flag acts like a magnet. Many rush to take a photo, shouting "Slava Ukraïni!" ("Glory to Ukraine!").

"We are warmly welcomed by everyone here, after a very long journey," said Mariia.

"When the people hear us speaking Ukrainian, they come to us."

The young woman travelled to Lisbon to "rebuild unity" with all the young Catholics from around the world, a unity that "constitutes the strength of Ukrainians.

"In our prayers, we constantly carry our families, our friends who remained in Ukraine," she continued.

"We pray for all the young people who went to battle to defend our lives."

"God will lead us to victory," she asserts, with the cold gaze of those who are going through the worst.

While their city of origin is far from the frontlines, Natalia wants to be able to testify about her life disrupted by the Russian invasion and the "horrors" caused by the war.

"We receive internally displaced people, and we are bombed. We pray for our safety and raise our cries to Heaven," said the young Ukrainian who participates in the World Youth Day to "encounter the living God again," far from the death sown by the war.

"I want to return to Ukraine animated by this spirit of encounter," Natalia said.

Reminding that Ukraine's fight concerns all of Europe

In Lisbon, the 300 Ukrainians regularly carry out actions aimed at 'not letting the world forget the evil that Russia has brought'.

"We must constantly remind the world that if Ukraine were not fighting on the front lines," this evil could spread to "all of Europe," Natalia said.

Standing beside the young people for whom he is responsible, the Greek-Catholic Father Roman Demush, with his black beard and penetrating gaze, echoes the young woman's words.

"Speaking about the war, about those who suffer, is not a political question," he declares, as if addressing potential critics. "It's a matter of life."

It is safe to say that the priest is protecting his young people. When asked about the presence of a group of young Russian Catholics at the World Youth Day, the young women let Father Demush respond on their behalf.

"It is essential not to add more suffering to our young people," he said firmly.

Fear of the pilgrims' reactions

A few hours earlier, a few kilometres from Belém, on the square in front of the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, a rare calm reigns during these World Youth Day events.

You have to pass through the first door of the building and have a keen eye to spot the information panel, recounting the history of this Manueline-style church.

The explanations are written in Portuguese, French, Spanish, English, and... Russian.

This is where the catechises are given for the 16 young people who came from Russia.

Although they all come from Moscow, only a small dozen are of Russian nationality, with the rest being foreign students. Here, the national flag is not displayed.

"We had it up on the first day," said Vera, who asked to not be quoted under her real name.

"Most people reacted positively, treated us like human beings and not like Russians might be treated these days. But some had very negative reactions, and now we hesitate to display it."

As a sign of the tension within the group, two young people cancelled their trip at the last moment, fearing reactions from other pilgrims.

Others did not obtain the necessary authorization from the Russian authorities. The war is never explicitly mentioned; it is a taboo subject. They barely talk about a "difficult situation."

"Faith is the last thing that keeps us going," confided another Russian pilgrim of Ukrainian origin, some of whose family still lives in Ukraine.

"We crossed paths with the Ukrainian pilgrims, but we didn't dare to approach them; we were afraid of their reaction," the young woman said.

"Still, I would like to try to talk to them."

All "members of the universal Church"

Despite their fears, Vera does not regret having come to Lisbon.

"As young Catholics, it is also our mission to heal wounds through dialogue and encounter," she said.

"We must build bridges for the future. Without taking major actions, we pray for peace as members of the universal Church."

This attempt at outreach finds no response from the Ukrainian side, which indirectly opposes it.

"Let's not worsen the wounds of the young Ukrainians," said Father Demush.

"First and foremost, these young Russians must take a position and name the evil. If they do not, they endorse the abuses committed by their army."

Such a public declaration could lead to legal action against the Russians upon their return, due to the repression carried out by Vladimir Putin's regime, which has tightened its control over the media since the beginning of the war.

• Matthieu Lasserre is a journalist at La Croix.
• First published in La Croix. Republished with permission.

Pope Francis encouraged the half-a-million young people who warmly received him on Thursday evening at Lisbon's Edward VII Park to repeat this word numerous times.

The Pope appeared revitalized and invigorated by the contagious enthusiasm of the girls and boys who, together with their pastors and educators, travelled to Portugal from all over the world.

"For everyone, para todos," exclaimed Pope Francis. His message neatly epitomizes the first ten years of his pontificate—a pontificate that began under the banner of mercy.

What does it mean to reiterate that there is room for everyone in the Church?

By way of explanation, the Pope said,

"No one is useless; no one is superfluous; there is room for everyone.

'Just as we are, everyone... ‘But Father, I am a wretch; I am a sinner: is there room for me?'

"There is room for everyone.

"For, 'God loves us; God loves us as we are, not as we wish to be or as society expects us to be: as we are.

"He loves us with our flaws, limitations, and desires to progress in life.

"God calls us in this way: have faith because God is a father, and he is a loving father, a father who love us."

In a time when everyone gives their opinion, and no one listens, when so many try to appear as something they are not, there is no message more attractive and revolutionary than what the Pope is reminding us of: God loves us just as we are, always forgives us, awaits us with open arms, and extends His mercy.

This awareness represents a logic that goes beyond human capacity and reaches the divine, one we learn from the Gospel episode of Zacchaeus, the sinful publican disliked by all in the city of Jericho.

Despite the opinions of others about him and feeling curious about the Nazarene prophet, Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree and waits for Him to pass, half-hidden among the leaves.

Jesus looks at him first, loves him first, and invites Himself to Zacchaeus's home, regardless of the scandalized comments from onlookers.

There are no prerequisites to receiving Jesus' merciful embrace. There are no "instructions" to follow, no preparatory courses to attend, nor techniques to learn.

It is enough to be present when He passes by, surrender to His gaze filled with love and mercy.

We need only to remove our barriers and allow Him to embrace us, recognizing Him in the faces of the witnesses He places in our path every day.

The Church has room for everyone, just as it did for Zacchaeus, who had the privilege of hosting the Nazarene at his own table in his own home.

His was an unprecedented surprise, a free gift, bestowed purely by grace.

Jesus' gaze, His call, turned Zacchaeus's life upside down: because he was loved like never before, he could comprehend the depths of sin and corruption in his existence.

However, conversion for Zacchaeus wasn't a prerequisite for receiving love and forgiveness. Continue reading

• Andrea Tornielli is an Italian journalist and religious writer. He is the manager of the editorial department of the Dicastery for Communication. Here he offers his thoughts on Pope Francis' impassioned appeal for the Church to welcome everyone.

Earlier that same day, Pope Francis spoke at three different venues, telling the half a million WYD pilgrims that the Church must be a home for everyone.

Despite the Pope's clear directives in this respect, it seems not everyone took his words to heart.

The protest

When the two dozen Catholics gathered for Mass, the protest group began to chant "a reparatory prayer" in an effort to disrupt the prayers.

Noted British theologian and openly gay priest Fr James Alison was one of three concelebrants of the Mass.

He says the 12 protesters, who wore long mantillas and held crucifixes, increasingly raised their voices in an effort to drown out the priests and congregants during Mass.

Police, who were aware of a potential disturbance, quickly escorted the protesters out of the church. The Mass continued without further incident.

Alison says the interruption highlights the challenges LGBTQ Catholics face in trying to practise their faith.

Building the roadblocks

Roadblocks to prevent the Mass began several days earlier.

The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics and a local Portuguese LGBTQ Catholic group organising the Mass had to find a new venue hurriedly. That was because their original hosts had become anxious after calls for protests began to circulate online.

Alison says a the protesters were motivated mainly to disrupt the Mass because they mistakenly believed Jesuit Fr James Martin would concelebrate it.

Martin — a prominent LGBTQ Catholic advocate — had been in Portugal for Jesuit-related events ahead of World Youth Day. However, he had already left the country before the Mass.

Pope's message

Alison says he has no ill will toward the ultra-traditionalist protesters. They're not to blame for their views.

"I was terribly sorry to see these people who have been led to this terrible ideology of hatred. They live in a weird, alienated world and did not look happy. We were principally sad for them.

"I don't blame them. I blame the intellectual authors who seem to bear the responsibility for this."

Alison says the Mass for LGBTQ pilgrims was "clearly in line with the Holy Father's message."

This message repeatedly emphasises that everyone has a home in the Catholic Church.

Since the start of his pontificate in 2013, Francis has walked a tightrope on LGBTQ issues.

He continues to uphold traditional church teaching, which prohibit gay relationships. At the same time, he repeatedly offers calls for everyone to be welcomed in the church. He has personally befriended a number of openly gay Catholics.

On 4 August, the Spanish Catholic news weekly Vida Nueva published an interview with Francis. In this, Francis reflects on his meetings with transgender people.

"The first time a group of transsexuals came to the Vatican and they saw me, they came out crying, saying that I had given them a hand, a kiss … as if I had done something exceptional with them," the magazine reports.

"But they are daughters of God!"

Source

• NCR Online

Crux reports on August 5 that during a semi-private meeting, a Russian Orthodox bishop expressed regret for the Ukraine war, thanking Francis for supporting the Ukrainian people.

"I would like to thank you very much for all you have done for the Ukrainian people," the Russian Orthodox bishop told Pope Francis.

The comment was made during a private meeting with interreligious leaders and was translated by Portuguese Father Peter Stillwell, director of the Portuguese bishops' Department of Ecumenical Relations and Interreligious Dialogue.

However a report from the Pillar, the American news website, makes it clear the politics of a private meeting did not translate to the World Youth Day public devotion where there was a notable absence of any reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The meditations there centred generally on problems that youth typically face, such as uncertainty about the future, issues with mental health and the scourges of drugs, pornography and alcohol, but also conflict and a lack of religious freedom.

While there were general references to the suffering caused by war, there was no mention of the conflict that has the world on edge.

The Vatican's handling of the Ukraine issue has been fraught with tension.

During the past two Via Crucis observances on Good Friday in Rome, the Holy See insisted on including a symbolic gesture for peace in Ukraine, involving both a Ukrainian and a Russian.

Neither time was Ukraine amused, leading to strained relations between the Vatican and Kyiv.

According to a source within the WYD organisation, Rome initially insisted on a similar gesture though it was unclear if it was intended for the Via Crucis devotions.

The Ukrainians made it clear that there would be diplomatic repercussions this time, and local organisers managed to dissuade the Holy See from repeating the gesture.

A compromise was reached including a visit to Ukraine by Bishop Américo Aguiar, who headed the WYD task force, to assure local Catholics that they had not been forgotten.

It is unknown whether Pope Francis' decision to hold a private audience for Ukrainian pilgrims, during which he prayed with them, was also part of the compromise.

The delicate handling of the Ukraine issue underscores the Vatican's complex position in a conflict that has strained international relations.

The Pope's actions continue to be scrutinised as the world seeks a peaceful resolution to a crisis that shows no signs of resolution.

Asked en route to Rome why he skipped the peace prayer at Lourdes, the Pope said he did not want to give publicity to a public prayer.

"I prayed! I prayed! I prayed to the Madonna and I prayed for peace. I didn't make publicity. But I prayed. And we have to continually repeat this prayer for peace."

A Vatican official, speaking on condition he not be named, denied that any ecclesial-diplomatic considerations entered Francis' decision-making.

Sources

• Crux
• The Pillar
• Associated Press

During the 37th World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, the Pope commended representatives of aid and charitable centres, urging them to continue making life a gift of love and joy.

Addressing the gathering, Pope Francis emphasised the significance of "concrete love" and rejected the notion of "abstract love."

Francis passionately remarked "Concrete love is that which gets its hands dirty, and each one of us can ask: is the love I feel for everyone here, what I feel for others, concrete or abstract? When I shake hands with a person in need, with a sick person, with a marginalised person, do I do it quickly so that they do not 'infect' me?"

He called on individuals to ask themselves if I am disgusted by poverty, and warned against living what he described as "distilled lives" which exist only in our imaginations and not in reality.

Be an "inspiration to others"

The Pope instead called for living in a way that "leaves a mark" and can be an "inspiration to others."

Expressing gratitude to the charity workers for their invaluable contributions, Pope Francis encouraged them not to lose heart and to persevere in their mission. He offered a touch of humour, saying "And if you get discouraged, have a glass of water and keep going," as he deviated from his prepared speech to connect with the audience on a personal level.

Love, the Pope emphasised, is a path to happiness in the afterlife and a source of joy on Earth. By embracing love and compassion, individuals can expand their hearts and find meaning in their lives.

Pope Francis urged young people to embrace this approach, stating "All of us can do it and everyone needs it, here and throughout the world."

The Pope then appealed for people to get close to the most vulnerable.

"While we are all fragile and in need, the Gospel's compassionate outlook leads us to see the needs of the most vulnerable. It likewise impels us to serve the poor - the excluded, the outcast, the discarded, the little ones, the defenceless - those most beloved of God, who made himself poor for" the Pope said.

The Pope called on the faithful to live their lives by offering a gift of love. "Loving is a gift for all! Please, carry on making life a gift of love and joy."

Sources

Independent Catholic News

Vatican News

CathNews New Zealand

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni says there's no cause to think the Pope's eyesight is failing. Francis prefers to speak without notes, Brunei adds. It's a pastoral preference.

"The pope always addresses the people he meets firstly as a shepherd, and speaks accordingly" Bruni says.

"The problem with his sight yesterday [Friday] morning was due to the lighting which produced a reflection on his glasses".

Prepared speeches set aside

Questions about the pope's eyesight were floated last Friday. During a visit to a charitable centre in Lisbon, Francis read only the first few paragraphs of his prepared speech.

He then set it aside, saying the lighting made it difficult for him to read. The prepared text would be published, he promised the small crowd.

He also mostly ignored two other prepared texts during the major international event.

One of those was for a Way of the Cross ceremony. Observers noted he appeared to look down at the prepared text from time to time but did not read from it.

The other text is described as "a highly-anticipated message" for a gathering in Fatima on Saturday morning.

Expectations were reportedly high ahead of the pope's visit to the Marian shrine. May observers anticipated Francis delivering a message of peace amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

However, after praying the rosary with sick young people and prisoners, Francis again delivered the first few lines of his prepared speech but then deviated.

He went on to offer the crowd a brief, off-the-cuff reflection on the Virgin Mary.

Francis also set aside his prepared prayer at the end of the rosary. He asked attendees to join him in praying the Hail Mary instead.

Burni says although the pope did not make a public appeal for peace at the Fatima shrine, he "prayed with pain for peace" in the world. He made this prayer during a moment of silence during the rosary, the fourth decade of which was dedicated to peace.

Pope's general health

Besides confirming Francis's eyesight is not failing, Bruni says he is well. He was no more tired than anyone else in his delegation given his busy WYD schedule.

Concern over the pope's health has increased following two hospital stays this year. One of those was for a serious bout of bronchitis and the other for surgery to repair an abdominal hernia. He also had surgery to repair cataracts last year.

Chronic sciatica and knee pain have often confined him to a wheelchair during the past year.

Reports say Francis seemed resilient and alert during his "fairly gruelling" WYD itinerary in Portugal and his voice was strong during his public addresses.

Francis returned to Rome on Sunday at the end of the 1-6 August WYD event.

Source

• CruxNow

The Parque Tejo, a new venue created for the event, covers 100 hectares (250 acres) and has no shade or structures. Some participants had to wait up to 20 minutes to refill their water bottles as temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius.

Some arrived more than eight hours before the pope appeared in the early evening, riding in an open popemobile that took more than half an hour to snake through the crowd.

A tractor with a water tank sprayed the crowd, and a succession of bands and speakers from a huge stage with the backdrop of a cross tried to keep the participants' minds off the heat at an event that has been dubbed the Catholic Woodstock.

Read More

Hours after he touched down in Lisbon on Wednesday, one of three huge billboards erected by activists to raise awareness of sexual abuse by clergy was removed, says the campaign group This Is Our Memorial.

WYD follows hard on the heels of a report released in February by a Portuguese commission, which said at least 4,815 minors were sexually abused by Portuguese clergy - mostly priests - over seven decades.

The commission in charge said that was just the "tip of the iceberg".

The campaign group described the removal of the billboard as "censorship".

Another billboard located in the municipality of Oeiras has also been taken down.

Organisers of the awareness campaign called "This is our memorial" shared images of the removal on various social media platforms.

The Church had promised a memorial would be unveiled during the week-long event but a date has not been set, with the Church saying the project was still being studied.

Another issue Francis will be aware of is a decline in Catholic engagement with the Church.

A study published in June reveals 56 percent of Portuguese aged 14 to 30 consider themselves believers (50 percent consider themselves Catholics) and 34 percent identify as practising believers, compared to 60 percent in the overall population.

"Young people identify less with the Church" says parish priest Father Paulo Fernando Filipe.

"Although they grew up in Catholic families and were baptised, they abandon religious practice as they age. I no longer see young adults in the churches I serve.

"They feel trapped, stifled by a certain conservatism," he laments.

"We have a communication problem, struggling to encourage them to get involved."

However, the most recent national census found that Catholicism's decline affects Portuguese society as a whole. Fewer practise their faith, far fewer have church weddings, and ordinations are down.

Hope for the future

On the plus side, numerous Catholic volunteers have come together to welcome young participants.

Organisers hope WYD will breathe new life into the Church in Portugal.

Over the past four years, a network of young people preparing for the event has developed.

"Not all Catholics have engaged in this process," admits Bishop José Ornelas Carvalho.

"But those who have engaged have done significant work that will revitalise evangelisation after the World Youth Day."

Source

• La Croix
• Reuters

Andrew proposed to Isabella at the Eiffel Tower in front of 170 pilgrims and passing Parisians under the sparkling lights of the city of love's most iconic landmark.

The long-time best friends are also teachers at St John Paul II Catholic College Schofields and Nirimba Fields and joined the pilgrimage to grow in faith, their love for God and each other.

"I've tried to hide this ring from her for Six months now. I've had to keep it safe on the plane and the whole journey here while keeping it from her," said Andrew. "It's been crazy stressful, but at the end of the day, it's been all worth it."

Read More

With his signature style of creating political art from discarded materials, Bordalo II unfurled a colossal carpet adorned with oversized 500-euro banknotes.

The artwork symbolised the excessive funds poured into the upcoming World Youth Day (WYD) global gathering of young Catholics.

Scheduled from August 2-6, WYD is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Lisbon.

However, Bordalo II's message was clear: he criticised the state for allocating an exorbitant amount of public funds to sponsor the papal tour while many citizens grappled with housing insecurity, unemployment and a loss of dignity.

Walk of shame

On Instagram, the artist, whose real name is Artur Bordalo, shared images and videos of the striking display on the venue's stairs, referring to it as the "walk of shame."

In his post, he condemned the stark contrast between the government's lavish spending and the struggles faced by ordinary citizens in the face of galloping inflation.

Official estimates released in January indicated that WYD 2023 would cost a staggering 161 million euros (NZ$288 million), with the burden shared by the government, the Catholic Church and the city council of Lisbon.

The government's share alone was slated to be 30 million euros (NZ$54 million), which drew sharp criticism from numerous public figures and politicians.

The Portuguese government's spending came under fire as citizens questioned the justification for such lavish expenditures amid pressing economic challenges.

Significant budget cuts

The public outcry led to significant budget cuts.

This was even before Bordalo II's demonstration when the Lisbon City Council was compelled to slash its planned spending on an altar for Pope Francis' mass from over 5 million euros to 2.9 million euros.

Responding to Bordalo II's protest, Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas acknowledged the artist's right to express his concerns, noting that such demonstrations were not uncommon during high-profile events like the one featuring Pope Francis.

Sources

ABC News

Addressing questions from youth worldwide in anticipation of WYD 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, the Pope urged for a harmonious coexistence between generations, emphasising that the Church needs the active participation of the youth to remain alive and relevant.

One young woman told Pope Francis that she sees only older people at her church and asked him if the church has become something only for older people.

"The church is not a club for the elderly, nor is it a youth club," the pope responded. "If it becomes something for old people, it is going to die."

Citing St John Paul II, the pope said "if you live with young people, you will also become young, and the church needs young people to not grow old."

Taking inspiration from the theme for this year's World Youth Day, "Mary arose and went with haste" - from St Luke's Gospel, Pope Francis drew parallels to the proactive nature of the Virgin Mary when she received the call to be the mother of God.

He encouraged young people to follow her example and embark on journeys of service and compassion, eschewing self-centredness and embracing altruism.

The Pope's vision for World Youth Day includes fostering a world characterised by love and unity among all, transcending boundaries and divisions.

The pontiff called for a world unafraid of openly witnessing the Gospel, embracing joy as a testament to the Christian faith.

He passionately asserted, "If we Christians have no joy, we are not credible, no one will believe us."

In another unorthodox communication move, Pope Francis engaged in a surprise Facebook Live session with an Italian Franciscan priest, Father Enzo Fortunato, known for his active presence on social media and his admiration for the Pope.

During this encounter, which marked the first time a pope participated in a live social media broadcast not conducted by Vatican platforms, the Pope imparted a heartfelt message to Fortunato's followers.

With warmth and humility, Pope Francis greeted the online audience as "good people," expressing gratitude for their prayers and support.

He likened the Word of God to life-sustaining water, encouraging the 1,600 viewers to nourish themselves with it daily, as it is vital for personal growth and the Church's collective progress.

The Pope concluded the session with his blessing and a call for continued prayers for the Church.

Sources

UCA News

CruxNow

CathNews New Zealand

Pope Francis will arrive in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday for the August 1-6 international WYD gathering.

Delegations of young Russians and Ukrainians are expected to be there despite their countries being at war, Church sources say.

L'Œuvre d'Orient, the Paris-based Church agency that supports Christians from the East, says it's helping pay for nearly 300 Ukrainians' WYD costs.

The Vatican says 18 young adults from Russia will also be at WYD. They'll be with one of Russia's Catholic bishops.

Both groups are said to include young women for the most part, as in both Russia and Ukraine most young men have military obligations.

Some foreign university students living in Russia are among the Russian delegation.

Vatican support

The Vatican is eager to highlight the presence of the young Russians and Ukrainians as an opportunity to encourage 'reconciliation'.

"WYD is traditionally a time for intercultural encounters which can also be encounters of peace," a Vatican source says.

Young people from other war-torn countries will also be at WYD, the Vatican source confirms. These include youth from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

However, a group of Syrian Catholics had to cancel their WYD plans as Portuguese authorities have refused to grant them entrance visas.

Pope's programme

During his five days in Portugal, Francis's programme does not include any specific initiative to bring young Russians and Ukrainians together.

However, there may be an opportunity to do so.

Since the war began, Francis has twice brought Ukrainians and Russians together.

Some criticised him, not for being pro-Russian but for putting the two countries on the same level.

This was the case during the celebration of the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross) this past Good Friday, when he asked a Russian and a Ukrainian to offer side-by-side testimonies about the horrors of the war.

The pope did something similar in 2022 when a Russian and a Ukrainian woman to carry a large wooden cross together and in silence at one of the Stations.

During a weekly general audience last April, Francis urged people to pray for the mothers of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers killed died in the war.

This also provoked criticism.

Fatima, a symbolic location

Peace will likely be a recurring theme in the speeches and homilies Francis delivers at WYD.

He will almost certainly focus on peace this coming Saturday when he goes to the Marian Shrine of Fatima.

About 100 years ago the shrine was a constant reference point for the Church as it prayed for the conversion of 'atheist' Communist Russia.

One of Fatima's 'visionaries' revealed Our Lady had told her to pass a message to the pope: he was to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Francis referred to this message in March 2022, when he re-consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

"This is no magic formula but a spiritual act," Francis said. Rather, the consecration was like calling to a "Mother" for help.

Source

• La Croix

During the meeting, Pope Francis encouraged the pilgrims in their faith journey. He answered questions on topics ranging from education to evangelisation, the environment and caring for our common home.

‘I'm very happy to welcome you here and to see such courageous young people,' said Pope Francis.

When asked what message he wanted to get across to young people, the Holy Father simply said: ‘The main message I want to get across is that the Lord is always by your side—always. Even in the most difficult moments, he is always with us. He never tires of walking with us!'

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With approximately 3,000 or more young Australians set to make the pilgrimage, this delegation will be one of the largest representing the country at WYD. Joining them will be 19 Australian bishops, nearly half of the total bishops in the country.

This event is seen as a critical moment in the life of the Church in Australia, especially in a society that is becoming increasingly secular and disconnected from matters of faith.

Malcolm Hart, Director of the National Centre for Evangelisation at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, believes that WYD is an exciting journey of faith and pilgrimage for young people.

"The commitment they have shown is really exciting" Hart affirmed. "It's also a great opportunity. There is a lot of learning that happens between young people and the bishops.

"The opportunity to go to World Youth Day and meet millions of other young Catholics is a really critical moment in the life of the Church in Australia and particularly for young people" Hart said.

Strong online presence

While most of the participants will be physically present in Lisbon, the event will also have a strong online presence.

Almost every group has set up social media pages to share their experiences, allowing families and friends back home to follow their journey. The time zone issues will be overcome with live broadcasts from Portugal being replayed the following day.

For young Australians, the experiences at WYD represent a moment of faith exploration and growth in their lives. The chance to meet millions of other young Catholics from around the world creates a sense of community and strengthens their connection to their faith.

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Notably, before the main WYD event, there was a special World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly celebrated by Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica in Rome.

The theme of this day emphasised the relationship between the elderly and young people, underscoring the importance of the bond in shaping the faith experiences of the youth.

In a heartwarming story, Koe Evangelista, a 22-year-old Australian pilgrim representing young Catholics from Oceania, had the extraordinary opportunity to meet Pope Francis during the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

Evangelista felt honoured to be chosen to represent young people and saw it as a chance to bring the prayers and support of his community with him.

"I was bringing all those who I am tied to as well, and I wanted to bring them to Pope Francis and more than that, I wanted to bring all of them to God with me," he said.

Sources

Vatican News

Catholic Weekly

CathNews New Zealand

Often dubbed the "Olympics of the Catholic Church," World Youth Day (WYD) is a massive gathering of young people from around the globe. This year's event will be held next week in Lisbon, Portugal.

For some young people however, being granted a visa to enter the host country is difficult - or even impossible. It depends on where they come from.

Whenever the event is staged in an affluent venue, there are often difficulties in granting visas to participants from developing nations.

Crux Now says this is out of concern that some will remain behind and become undocumented workers and residents.

Visa concerns

Catholic Church officials in India have asked the Portuguese government for help. They want them to step in to help with granting travel visas for young Indians planning to attend WYD. Almost 1,000 Indians are hoping to take part in the event.

The Philippines bishops' conference has also sought help. It recently appealed to foreign embassies to reverse decisions to deny visa to 50 Filipinos hoping to attend WYD in Portugal.

The Union of Catholic Asian News says Portuguese authorities have denied visas to young Catholics from Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Visa requirements

Just what people are expected to provide to be granted a visa varies.

In many cases, applications include an interview with embassy officials. In some parts of the world, applicants say they haven't been called for the interview, despite their repeated requests.

In Bangladesh, a Church official says young Catholics have been denied visas to WYD. - even when they meet all the requirements demanded of them.

These include proving they can cover their expenses, providing evidence of their return ticket to Bangladesh and health insurance coverage.

Indian participants face similar difficulties.

Father Chetan Machado from the National Youth Commission for the Indian Catholic Bishops Conference says hundreds of pilgrims may miss out.

"We are facing a lot of issues and many rejections this time. We are not even sure whether all registered will get a visa to travel.

"They look for a guarantee that the visitors will return home" from a third party willing to assume the risk. That's very difficult to get," Machado says.

There are 900 registered participants from India. Of these, the bishops' conference is sponsoring 250. Not all young people who take part in the event however are formally registered, so the tally could be higher.

"All pilgrims were expected fill in the registration form and get the recommendation letter from the local bishop on the diocesan letterhead along with signature and seal," Machado says.

Additional protocols require under 18-year old delegates to be entrusted to an adult and have their parents' or legal guardians' written permission.

"There's a lot of documentation required to register and get the visa."

Expediting the visas

Machado says Indian Church officials have asked the Portuguese embassy for an expedited visa approval process.

He says they hope at least 80 percent of Indian delegates can make the trip.

Source

• Crux Now

Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will be helping to create a WYD experience as close to the main event as possible for those unable to travel to Lisbon because of financial and other difficulties.

More than 1,000 young people will be attending the gathering on Mount Lebanon at the same time as Pope Francis is meeting pilgrims in Portugal.

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The event marks it as one of the largest Australian contingents in the history of the gathering.

With just weeks remaining until the August 1-6 celebrations, a group of 25 World Youth Day pilgrimage coordinators recently gathered in Sydney, while others joined the meeting online for a final preparation day.

"This was a great chance for us all to pray together and also to encourage the leaders to remember that they themselves will be on pilgrimage," said Archbishop Christopher Prowse, chair of the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry.

"These faith-filled Catholics, some of whom have attended several previous World Youth Days, can be an example of prayer, presence and accompaniment - and not be all business, all the time."

In addition to the week-long event in Portugal, numerous groups of young people from the Oceania region will embark on pilgrimages and retreats to significant locations such as the Holy Land, Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, Avila and Assisi.

The groups are being supported by World Youth Day organisers and Australian dioceses who are providing financial assistance to ensure their participation.

1,000 from Sydney going to Lisbon

Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP leads 1,000 followers from Sydney, the city's largest ever contingent, alongside Sydney Auxiliary Bishops Daniel Meagher and Richard Umbers.

Archbishop Fisher told nearly 400 pilgrims at a Fidelis formation event that they "will come back to Sydney, to your lives, families, friends, education and work, hopefully as saints-in-the-making, truer believers in God, better lovers of your neighbours, on fire with the Holy Spirit."

Protests may impact Pope's visit

On another note, there are concerns that planned protests and strikes in Portugal during August will impact World Youth Day and the visit of Pope Francis for the event.

The pope will also hold a Mass, visit the Fatima sanctuary some 130 km (81 miles) north of Lisbon and meet victims of clergy sexual abuse.

Portuguese teachers, railway workers, police officers and garbage collectors are taking action in an effort to force the government to raise wages and improve their working conditions.

Interior Minister Jose Luis Carneiro has said there will be enough officers to ensure safety at the events involving the pope, so "security will not be affected in any way."

Sources

Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference

Catholic Weekly

US News & World Report

CathNews New Zealand

The government has declared a one-year pardon for prisoners under the age of 30, if they're serving sentences of up to eight years.

The amnesty was declared to mark World Youth Day, which Lisbon will host next month.

Citing the pope's impending visit, Catholic organisations have been pushing for a general amnesty for young prisoners since April.

The amnesty

Besides reducing sentences for some prisoners, young convicts serving sentences of less than one year will be released.

Those who were not sentenced to jail, but have been fined under 1,000 euros will be pardoned entirely.

The Portuguese government justified its decision, saying Francis's "life and pontificate have been heavily marked by appeals to social rehabilitation of those who are at odds with penal law."

The amnesty will not apply to all young people however.

They won't qualify if they've been found guilty of violent or serious crimes.

Portugal lists these as homicide, infanticide, domestic violence, battery, kidnapping, forced marriage, money laundering, sexual abuse, and incitement to hatred or violence.

The Pope's visit

Francis will be with the young pilgrims from 2 to 6 August.

Portugal is expecting over a million young visitors to take part in the 1-6 August international event.

It will culminate in an all-night vigil and final mass with the Pope on 5-6 August.

Nearly ready

The WYD Foundation, which the Patriarchate of Lisbon created, is overseeing the event organisation.

The Foundation says everything will be ready on time. It also says Vatican envoys are impressed with how things are progressing.

The only concern involves families volunteering to host pilgrims. There just haven't been enough so far.

Just weeks before the first groups arrive in Lisbon and surrounding cities, only around 20,000 people have familes to host them - well below the 100,000 target.

While many families are expected to volunteer closer to the date, organisers have been forced to find alternatives, asking public schools to receive pilgrims as well.

Both the Government and local city councils have been working with the Church to ensure the event is a success.

Souce

• The Tablet