At jubilee, teens urged to listen

May 09, 2025

VATICAN: What began as a joyful pilgrimage for thousands of teenagers marking the Jubilee Year of Hope became a profound moment of mourning, as news broke of Pope Francis’ death on April 21.

“We’ve been preparing since January,” said 22-year-old Vincenzo Pirico from Pisa. “The spirit with which we participated truly changed.” Many young pilgrims felt they were not just celebrating faith, but also honouring the memory of a pope who deeply loved and listened to youth.

Gustavo Molina from Ecuador called the news “a cold shower,” yet said being in Rome allowed his group to say a final goodbye to “a pope very much loved, especially in the Hispanic community.”

The Jubilee had planned to include the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Though Pope Francis approved the decree in May 2024, the closing Mass instead became a memorial for the late pope. His funeral on April 26 marked the start of nine days of mourning.

Still, the spirit of hope endured. Around 200,000 teenagers gathered in St Peter’s Square, waving flags and singing hymns. Archbishop Nelson noted, “Pope Francis said young people are the now of God — and they’re showing it today.”

Many teens had known no other pope. Béatrice, 14, from France, said, “We wondered if the Jubilee would still happen… Luckily, it did!” Anna from Switzerland added, “It became a time of mourning and thanksgiving. The Pope was close to young people. I remember his smile.”

Fr Andrea Filippucci, from the US Virgin Islands, said his group of 100 pilgrims shifted focus from indulgences to reflection on St Peter, “a man who failed but was still loved.” Youth pilgrim Briah Ryan said, “Despite the sadness, I was grateful. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.”

On Divine Mercy Sunday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin urged the youth to carry on Francis’ legacy: “In mercy, we discover the path to peace.”

A final word came from Pope Francis himself, in a video recorded January 8 and released posthumously. “Dear boys and girls… one of the most important things in life is to listen,” he said. “Listen, listen a lot.”

As teenagers continued their pilgrimage, they bore witness to Francis’ final message: listen, love, and walk together. --CNS