Panama City, site of 2019 WYDMore than 1.5 million young Catholics gathered for Mass at Campus Misericordia in Poland yesterday morning to be reassured that “God is your biggest fan” and to hear that the next World Youth Day will be held in Panama City in 2019.
Vatican Radio is reporting on the culmination of the week-long celebration in Krakow, Poland which drew more than a million youth from around the world to celebrate their faith and to enjoy the exclusive attention of Pope Francis.
“ . . . [Y]ou are important! God counts on you for what you are, not for what you possess,” he told youth during his final homily. “In his eyes the clothes you wear or the kind of cell phone you use are of absolutely no concern. He doesn’t care whether you are stylish or not; he cares about you! In his eyes, you are precious, and your value is inestimable.”
Be courageous, he said, and don’t be afraid to take risks because God “believes in us even more than we believe in ourselves. He is always ‘cheering us on’; he is our biggest fan.”
The Pope explained to them that, their real stature was their spiritual identity. “At times in our lives, we aim lower rather than higher”, the Holy Father said, but God is always “cheering us on; he is our biggest fan.”
But beware! People will try to change your mind and make you think that God is distant, rigid, or insensitive to our needs, he warned.
“People may laugh at you because you believe in the gentle and unassuming power of mercy. But do not be afraid. Think of the motto of these days: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy’ (Mt 5:7). People may judge you to be dreamers, because you believe in a new humanity, one that rejects hatred between peoples, one that refuses to see borders as barriers and can cherish its own traditions without being self-centered or small-minded. Don’t be discouraged: with a smile and open arms, you proclaim hope and you are a blessing for our one human family, which here you represent so beautifully!”
The Pope concluded his homily with this message, “World Youth Day begins today and continues tomorrow, in your homes, since that is where Jesus wants to meet you from now on.”
When he was finished, he told youth that “the providence of God always precedes us. Just think that it has already decided the next milestone in the great pilgrimage started in 1985 by St. John Paul II. And therefore I announce with joy that the next World Youth Day - after the two diocesan ones - will be in 2019 in Panama City!”
The moment the name was announced, pilgrims from Panama burst into cheers and applause with bishops and nuns dancing with joy alongside youth.
As is tradition, the next host of the event takes over the festivities, which they did by sharing their joy with all and inviting them to come to Panama in three years’ time to celebrate the faith and Christ’s love.
Pope Francis left Poland shortly thereafter and returned to Rome.
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