The presentation of the WYD symbols took place during the Mass celebrated this morning, November 24, in St. Peter’s Basilica, in commemoration of the Solemnity of Christ the King.
Attended the Mass were Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, as well as Archbishop Peter Chung, Archbishop of Seoul, Bishop Rui Valério, Patriarch of Lisbon, and Bishop Américo Alves Aguiar, current bishop of Setúbal and head of the Local Organizing Committee for WYD in Lisbon, the last venue for WYD, the great international meeting of young people from all over the world with the Holy Father.
“Witnesses to the Truth, without make-up or fear of judgment”
During his homily, the Holy Father addressed the young people present at the celebration on behalf of Catholic youth, inviting them to reflect “to act with courage in the face of a wounded and conflicted world” based on the liturgy of the Solemnity of Christ the King, the Gospel of St. John, which narrates Pontius Pilate’s interrogation of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Father highlighted accusation, consensus and truth as lights for young people to be true witnesses of Christ: “Young people, perhaps you too will be accused for following Jesus, for being faithful to the Gospel and its values. Do not be afraid of condemnations, of trials. Be careful not to let yourselves be intoxicated by illusions, be vigilant. The sincerity of your intentions is worth more than consensus, be attentive to instrumentalization, to being conditioned, be free”.
Addressing the young people of Korea, the Pope emphasized: “You will receive the Cross, symbol of victory, but not only the Cross, but also the Mother, who is with our Cross to help us. Think of Mary, she is our Mother. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ, we will find the strength to go forward without fear, without makeup. Be happy to be witnesses of the truth.
At the end of the celebration, the youth delegation from Portugal presented the WYD symbols to the young people of South Korea.
“The icons were given by St. John Paul II to be carried around the world. Have the courage to bear witness to the hope of which we have spoken. May it grow with these symbols. For all the young people who live through war, may the symbols be sustenance and consolation”, the Holy Father concluded.
The Pilgrim Cross
The WYD cross, a gift from St. John Paul II to young people around the world, is 3.8 meters high. The pilgrim cross, built for the Holy Year in 1983, was entrusted by John Paul II to young people on Palm Sunday of the following year, to be carried around the world. Since then, the pilgrim cross, made of wood, began a pilgrimage that has already taken it to five continents and almost 90 countries. It has become a true sign of faith.
This pilgrim cross is a replica of the original, a relic that is located at the San Lorenzo International Center, where the Shalom Catholic Community is present in the city of Rome.
Maria Salus Populi Romani
Since 2003, the pilgrim cross has been accompanied by the icon of Our Lady Salus Populi Romani, which represents the Virgin Mary with the Child in her arms. This icon was also introduced by Pope John Paul II as a symbol of Mary’s presence among young people. At 1.20 meters high and 80 centimeters wide, the icon of Our Lady Salus Populi Romani is associated with one of the most popular Marian devotions in Italy.
The original icon is located in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where Pope Francis goes to pray and lay a bouquet of flowers before and after each apostolic journey.
Foto: Martino Carosi
