"Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum" is the title of the song selected from 434 submissions, a work by a young South Korean composer, Francis Jiyoon Kim. The global tree-planting campaign "Breath of Life" has also been launched. The organising committee is reporting that the preparatory phase has now moved to implementation. Young people are invited to experience a "spiritual pilgrimage".
The theme and logo were presented at a press briefing today in the Vatican in the presence of the archbishop of the South Korean capital. The Cross that accompanies the meetings of young people with the Pope will be handed over in St Peter's Square on 24 November. Speaking about the possible presence of young North Koreans, Archbishop Chung said: "We want to invite them,” but today's political situation does “not currently favour their presence.”
In his message for World Youth Day, which will be celebrated in the dioceses on Sunday, 26 November, the pontiff also mentions the scourge of youth suicide. “When we think of human tragedies, [. . .] we can also be part of God’s answer to the problem.”
Back from the WYD in Lisbon, the Asian nun chosen by Pope Francis among the president delegates of the October Assembly tells AsiaNews about her expectations for the Synod: "Living in a country where we Christians are a minority has taught me to listen, to try to understand, to pray to understand where the Spirit is guiding our conscience. And to understand that before anything else we must love everyone like Jesus." Archbishop of Tokyo Msgr. Kikuchi: "Proud and grateful for the role assigned to you."
Participants come from India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Mongolia, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. Indonesians have come from some of the remotest regencies to attend the event. For Bishop Pius Riana Prapdi, the young are the heart of the Church.
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