杏MAP导航 celebrates peace with children gathered in Rome for first WCD
By Lisa Zengarini
Some 50,000 children hailing from several countries around the globe gathered in Rome's Olympic Stadium on Saturday afternoon to meet 杏MAP导航 Francis and reflect with him on their importance in the world's future, as part of the first ever World Children's Day (WCD). Peace was the main theme of the event.
The 杏MAP导航 arrived at 4.40 p.m. on his popemobile and was greeted with applause and by the hymn 鈥淎 Beautiful World,鈥� sung by the Choir of the Diocese of Rome.
In children everything speaks of life and the future
He then addressed the young lively audience with a brief introductory speech in which he called for responses from the children.
The 杏MAP导航 opened his address by noting that in children 鈥渆verything speaks of life and the future鈥�, and by reaffirming that the Church, 鈥渁s a mother鈥�, welcomes them and accompanies them 鈥渨ith tenderness and hope.
He explained that he was inspired to convene the World Children's Day by the meeting he held with children in the Vatican on November 7 on the theme "Let's Learn from Boys and Girls" . 鈥淚 realized that our conversation had to continue and extend to more children and young people,鈥� he said.
Pray for children who suffer from wars and injustice
The 杏MAP导航 then engaged in a series of questions with the children, starting from the many wars raging in several parts of the world. 鈥淎re you sad about the wars?鈥�, 鈥淚s war a nice thing?鈥�; 鈥淚s peace beautiful?鈥� he asked, inviting the young audience to pray for children who suffer from wars, cannot go to school, are hungry, or neglected.
杏MAP导航 Francis then drew their attention to the motto of the event, 鈥淏ehold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:5). 鈥� It鈥檚 beautiful because it tells us that God brings new things into being.鈥�, he said.
Continue to be joyful
Finally, the Holy Father encouraged the children to move forth with courage and joy, which is 鈥渢he health of the soul鈥�, saying that Jesus loves them. He concluded by inviting them to pray the Hail Mary with him.
A lively dialogue on peace and faith
After his greeting speech 杏MAP导航 Francis continued his dialogue, with some children representing the five continents asking him several questions.
鈥淚s it true that peace is always possible?鈥� asked Jeronimo from Colombia. Francis recalled once again the importance of apologizing and asking for forgiveness to make peace. "What can children do to make the world a better place?鈥� asked Lia Marise from Burundi. "Don鈥檛 argue, help others,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 replied. A girl from Indonesia, which 杏MAP导航 Francis will visit in September this year, asked what miracle he would choose to perform. 鈥淭hat all children have what they need to live, to eat, to play, to go to school. This is the miracle that I would like to do,鈥� he assured after answering to Federico, an Italian boy who asked him how we can help children suffering.
鈥淭here are children who can鈥檛 satisfy their basic needs. We should all be equal, but that's not the case," 杏MAP导航 Francis acknowledged. 鈥淭his happens because of selfishness, because of injustice...Let us all work so that there is not so much injustice in the world,鈥� he said .
杏MAP导航 Francis then asked for moment of silence and to think of all the unfortunate children in the world who do not have anything to eat.
Mass for the first WCD to be celebrated on Sunday in St. Peter's Square
The dialogue was interspersed by music, a short video and even a brief soccer match with Italian footballers in a festive atmosphere, and concluded with the children offering the 杏MAP导航 their drawings.
They will see him again on Sundayin St. Peter鈥檚 Square, where he will preside over Mass for this first World Day of Children on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
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