Pope Francis said on Sunday that he dreamed of peace and remembered the young people who were unable to participate in World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon due to conflicts, expressing “great sorrow” for Ukraine.
“In particular, let us accompany with our thoughts and prayers those who could not come because of conflicts and wars. And there are so many of them around the world. Thinking of this continent, I feel great pain for dear Ukraine, which continues to suffer greatly,” Francis said at the end of the Angelus prayer in Tagus Park.
The Pope thanked the young people who could not be present “but who participated in events organised in their countries by their respective bishops’ conferences and dioceses”, giving as an example the “sub-Saharan brothers and sisters gathered in Tangier”.
Then, recognising he was an elderly man – the Pope is 86 – he shared with those present his “dream of peace, the dream of young people who pray for peace, live in peace and build a peaceful future”.
“Through the Angelus prayer, let us place in the hands of Mary, Queen of Peace, the future of humanity. And as you return home, please continue to pray for peace”, he asked, thanking his grandparents who “have passed on the faith, the horizon of a lifetime” and who are the roots of peace.
For Francis, young people are “a symbol of peace for the world, a testimony of how different nationalities, languages and histories can unite rather than divide”, the “hope for a different world”.
“Thank you, and keep going,” he added.
