An ‘Historic’ Event

As the Jubilee Year continues with a modified schedule due to Pope Francis’ death, the Jubilee of Teenagers took place on 25-27 April. “Historic” is the word most often heard from the thousands of teenagers who gathered in the streets of Rome over the past few days. Fourteen-year-old Béatrice came from Lyon with her diocese for the Jubilee, which had originally included the canonization Mass for Italian teenager, Blessed Carlo Acutis. “When we learned of the Pope’s death, we wondered whether the Jubilee would still take place... Luckily, it did! Every time I come back from a pilgrimage, I feel free again”, she told Vatican media. Arthur, from the Charles de Foucauld Middle School in Lyon, said that the Pope had fulfilled his mission, adding that he was grateful to have been able to attend the funeral Mass for Pope Francis.

At the funeral Mass on Saturday, 26 April, Anna, who came from Geneva, Switzerland, shared: “The Jubilee for young people became a time of mourning and thanksgiving. This Pope was very close to young people. I remember his smile and the way he gently touched the hearts of all”.

Despite the postponement of Blessed Carlo Acutis’ canonization, a scheduled highlight of the Jubilee of Teenagers, tens of thousands of teenagers filled with joy participated in the second “Novemdiales” (nine days of mourning) Mass in honour of Pope Francis on Sunday, 27 April. During the homily, Cardinal Pietro Parolin urged young people to remember to nourish their lives with the true hope, Jesus Christ. “Nothing will be too great or too challenging with him! With him you will never be alone or abandoned, not even in the worst of times”, he reminded them. Indeed, he added, Jesus “wants to help you to understand what is most valuable in life: the love that encompasses all things and hopes all things”.