Youth Week – this is the expression Pope Francis used last Sunday, July 21 at the end of the Angelus, when he spoke about the long-awaited meeting for young people atRio de Janeiro. And thus began the week during which there will be meetings, moments of prayer, of celebration….a week full of life! The young people are waiting for Francis, who like them carried his own briefcase to the plane. This week started with a programming until now unprecedented in organizing these events.

An “interreligious meeting for Catholics, Jews and Muslims” was held on Sunday July 21. Two hundred young delegates participated in this meeting promoted by the Local Organizing Committee and hosted by the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) inRio de Janeiro. “We started WYD by aiming at its core: accepting differences” said Josafá Siqueira, the University Rector.

Members of the Focolare Movement are involved in the interreligious dialogue group that meets every month in Rio and that launched this initiative. Victor Gomes, a native of Rio and one of the delagates at the conference related to us: “The participants were divided into small groups where various issues were discussed. Some of those present never did this kind of experience and they were filled with new hope. The leaders of the various religions have shown great interest and brotherhood. They treated each others as equal; there was no one who felt superior to any of the rest.”

Focus: WYD 2013: Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro

Updated on July 24, 2013

BF – LH

SIF – Focolare Information Service