The World Youth Day (WYD) will be held in Lisbon from August 1-6 with the motto “Mary arose and went in haste” (Luke 1:39). The phrase is the beginning of the account of the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth after the angel’s announcement to the Blessed Mother that she would be the mother of the Son of God.
This will be, by far, the largest single event ever organized in Portugal. As of this writing, 600,000 people have enrolled in the first phase of the registration process, and as of mid-June the number of pilgrims who were fully registered and paid-up stood at 254,000. This number could still increase considerably as other pilgrims complete their registration later.
Portuguese pilgrims are expected to be the largest contingent at WYD but, for obvious reasons, many of these did not register. According to official figures, the Spanish is the largest group, followed by the Italians and the French.
The Pope’s declining health has been a cause of concern, especially, after his recent operation which raised fears of a possible absence at the great youth event. However, shortly after the operation he appeared to allay those worries in a video message addressed to the youth reassuring of his presence.
Showing the grey backpack with the kit that will be distributed to the pilgrims he said he is prepared to participate in WYD with the doctor’s permission: “I am prepared. I already have everything with me because I have a great desire to go. Some people think that, because of the illness, I can’t go. But the doctor told me that I can go, so I will be with you…Come on, be cheerful. See you in Lisbon,” was his final greeting.
According to the Vatican Press Office, Pope Francis will be in Lisbon from August 2 to 6. During a rather tight schedule, the Pope will make a stopover in Fatima on August 5, a Marian shrine he visited previously in 2017.
Following the WYD’s motto, Pope Francis is inviting young people to follow the example of Mary and to rise in haste: “Like Mary, let us take Jesus within us, to communicate Him to everyone. In this very beautiful moment of your life, go forward; do not postpone what the Spirit can accomplish in you! From the heart I bless your dreams and your steps.”
The Marian icon Salus Popoli Romani (“Salvation of the Roman People”) that will be standing beside the Cross on the stage during the WYD will be a sign of Mary’s maternal presence beside the young people. The youth know that they have a Mother who looks after them, who loves them, who cares for them.
