Pope strengthens leadership among young people in Brazil

Pope Francis received acceptance as spiritual leader of hundreds of thousands of young people gathered in Brazil this week to participate in the World Youth Day (WYD).

It met the expectations of the thousands of faithful who came yesterday to the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Aparecida, patron saint of Brazil, which was the first international homily that he officiates as a pontiff, despite a persistent rain and bitter cold.

The Apostles and the attendees were delighted when Francis announced his return to Aparecida in 2017, when  marks 300 years of the appearance of the image of Nuestra Señora de Aparecida.

The Pontiff had an emotional moment that filled him his eyes with tears when he saw the image of the Virgin. He bowed to her and remained silent. Then he said, “mother, please stay here, always welcoming pilgrims kids and always be by our side, join the big family of your devotees, especially when the cross is heavier”, the Pope said.

Some Latin American youth who are participating  in WYD, inaugurated on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro and that the Pope will close with an outdoor mass on Sunday, passed by Aparecida before heading to the so-called Cidade Maravilhosa (marvelous city), including some 800 Ecuadorian.

After the mass, Pope Francisco had scheduled a lunch with Bishops and seminarians in Aparecida. Back in Rio, in the afternoon, he was going to visit a Catholic hospital that treats people with substance abuse problems.