After a night spent outdoors, waiting for the Sending Mass – Pope Francis’ last moment with the pilgrims in Portugal – the morning started in a lively way, with Father Guilherme, the DJ priest, waking up all the pilgrims with his music.
On arrival, and before the Sending Mass, Pope Francis made a point of greeting the pilgrims, travelling through the different corridors of Campo da Graça in the papamobile. Already during the homily, and addressing the young people, Francis challenged everyone to “change the world” and left a request: “Do not be afraid”. Pope Francis asked for peace for Ukraine and said goodbye to the city of Lisbon, calling it “home of fraternity” and “city of dreams”. At the end of the meeting, the Holy Father announced where the 41st World Youth Day will take place. Seoul, South Korea, was the place chosen by Francis for another world celebration, which will take place in 2027.
After this celebration, there were only two more items on Pope Francis’ agenda: the meeting with the volunteers of WYD Lisbon 2023, at Passeio Marítimo de Algés, and the farewell ceremony, at the Figo Maduro air base.
Estimating that more than 20,000 volunteers participated in the meeting with Pope Francis, this was a moment of thanks for everyone’s availability in building the largest meeting of young people from all over the world with the Pope.
The Holy Father said goodbye to Portugal at the Figo Maduro air base, taking with him so many memories of the intense days lived throughout this World Youth Day.
Thank you, Pope Francis!
