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Herald Malaysia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
Late Pope Francis urges Mexican youth to ‘stir things up'
As thousands of young people gather in Mexico City for the Vitae Fest, a video recorded by the late Pope Francis in mid-2024 invites them to create movement within the Church and to fix their eyes on Christ. May 05, 2025 VATICAN: More than 100,000 young people gathered on Sunday in Zócalo Square of Mexico City, the most iconic square in the Latin American nation, to celebrate life and commit themselves to promoting peace and reconciliation among peoples around the world. The Vitae Fest was organized by the Vitae Global Foundation, and featured an evocative artistic performance. The young Mexican attendees received a surprise from the late Pope Francis, who had recorded a video in mid-2024 specifically for the Vitae Fest. 'I know that you are gathered in the Zócalo,' said the late Pope. 'And you are gathered to receive and to give.' He thanked the young people for their desire to take action to make the world a better place. 'You are not gathered to stay silent, but to stir things up, to create some movement, with joy, to receive a message and to share a message,' said the late Argentine Pope. 'There are many ugly things in the world, and we have to fix them.' Yet, he added, 'there are also many beautiful things—and that's you, who are gathered there, because you want something more.' The late Pope Francis went on to note that the Church is celebrating the Jubilee of Hope. He noted that the young people in Mexico City main square bore witness to hope by wearing a white handkerchief, which serves as a symbol of the vibrancy of youth and the shared desire to recover the ability to dialogue in order to build a more fraternal and cohesive society. 'Never forget that white bandana you see, and that they tell you about—that white bandana is always the hope of all sinners, each of us,' said Pope Francis. 'May God bless you, may Our Lady of Guadalupe take care of you, and don't forget to pray for me. Thank you.'--Vatican News
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Pope Francis speaks to young people at festival via pre-recorded video
Pope Francis speaks to young people at festival via pre-recorded video Show Caption Hide Caption White House posts AI-generated photo of Trump dressed as the pope The White House posted an AI-generated image of President Donald Trump dressed as the pope on X, sparking both backlash and glee. Pope Francis thanked the young people for their desire to take action to make the world a better place. He blessed the crowd, adding "don't forget to pray for me." Death did not stop Pope Francis from making a surprise video appearance Sunday before more than 100,000 young people gathered for a festival in Mexico City's Zócalo Square. Francis, who died April 21, recorded the video in mid-2024 specifically for the Vitae Fest, the Vatican said. The youth-focused event was organized by the Vitae Global Foundation, a global non-profit with the mission of sharing the gospel to younger generations around the world. "You are not gathererd to stay silent, you are gathered to stir things up, to create some movement with joy," said Francis, sitting in a chair, dressed in white vestments and speaking his native Spanish language. "To receive a message and share a message." He thanked the young people for their desire to take action to make the world a better place. "There are many ugly things in the world and we have to fix them," Francis said. "But there are also many beautiful things. And that's you, who are gathered there, because you want something more.' Francis noted that the Catholic Church is celebrating the Jubilee of Hope. A Jubilee Year, traditionally proclaimed by the church about every 25 years, is set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, repent sins and forgive the sins of others and to renew a focus on spiritual life. He blessed the throng, adding "don't forget to pray for me. Thank you.' The College of Cardinals will gather in Vatican City this week to vote for a successor to Francis. Will we see the first American pope? How USA's image could come into play The popemobile used by Francis to greet millions of the faithful around the world will soon be serving thousands of Palestinian children, the Vatican announced. Among Francis' final wishes was to transform the vehicle into a mobile health unit for the children of Gaza. More than 3,500 children below the age of 5 'face imminent death by starvation' because of an Israeli blockade that has lasted more than two months, Gaza's Government Media Office says. About 70,000 children have been hospitalized with severe malnutrition and more than a million children lack "minimum nutritional requirements for survival," the office says. The popemobile will be staffed by physicians and medics and is being outfitted with equipment for diagnosis, examination and other life-saving supplies, the Vatican said, adding that it will reach "children in the most isolated corners of Gaza" once humanitarian access to the enclave is restored. "Amid the horrific war, collapsed infrastructure, a mutilated health care system and lack of education, children are the first to pay the price, with starvation, infections and other preventable conditions putting their lives at risk," the Vatican said in a statement. A battle for the soul of the church: What's at stake in conclave this week The charity Caritas is handling the popemobile transformation. In a press release, Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, wrote that the health system has amost "completely collapsed" in Gaza. "With the vehicle, we will be able to reach children who today have no access to health care – children who are injured and malnourished," Brune wrote. "It's not just a vehicle. It's a message that the world has not forgotten about the children in Gaza.' The College of Cardinals will gather Wednesday in Vatican City to begin the process of voting for a new pope. More than 130 cardinals are expected to conduct their first vote Wednesday, then four votes daily until more than two-thirds of those gathered agree on a candidate. The cardinals will determine whether the adage "fat pope, thin pope" holds true or whether the next leader of the Catholic Church will continue and expand the reforms that gained traction during the 12-year reign of Francis, who died April 21. Stoves installed in the Sistine Chapel will generate smoke after each vote. Black smoke means no candidated claimed two-thirds of the vote. White smoke means the world has a new pope.
