World Youth Day wrapped up Sunday, Aug. 6, having gathered 1.5 million young people from around the world. On this special summer episode of “Inside the Vatican,” America editors Ricardo da Silva, S.J. and Gerard O’Connell recap the event.
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First up on the show, Gerry and Ricardo give a sense of what World Youth Day was like on the ground—a sea of young people, thrilled and excited, but in the same measure silent and reverent at moments of prayer. Pope Francis, they explain, was “in top form,” energized by the crowd, often putting aside his written speeches in favor of interacting with the young people gathered there.
Gerry and Ricardo give a sense of what World Youth Day was like on the ground—a sea of young people, thrilled and excited, but in the same measure silent and reverent at moments of prayer.
In the second half of this episode, host Colleen Dulle leads Gerry and Ricardo in a conversation about Pope Francis’ central message of World Youth Day: that the church is for “all, all, all.” In a church that sees different vocations for different people, what does including “all” look like in practice?
Finally, the editors discuss Pope Francis’ visit to Fatima, which surprisingly did not include any public prayers for peace in Ukraine. Gerry gives some insight into the decision based on a conversation he had with a senior Vatican official.
Links from the show:
Spanish teen says she regained her sight at World Youth Day Mass
Pope Francis fields questions on abuse, his health on return flight to Rome
Pope Francis at World Youth Day: ‘Live each day with hearts free of fear.’
Behind the scenes of a Way of the Cross like no other at World Youth Day
