Pope Francis at WYD: Bringing light even in moments of darkness

By Francesca Merlo - Lisbon, Portugal

Friday offered the Pope a slightly different morning in Lisbon, as the thrill and excitement of the young people here for World Youth Day continued along the streets of Lisbon, whilst the events that centred around the Holy Father took a more personal and intimate turn.

In the Vasco do Gama Gardens, three young people sat quietly on a bench, anxiously waiting for Pope Francis to arrive. In front of them, 150 wooden confessionals, built by three Portuguese inmates, stood like a flowerbed: tidy and colourful.

But one of these stood out even more than the others. In the shade of an oak tree, open on one side and with a regal white chair, this confessional was destined for the Pope. On a little stool next to the chair the three young people - 19 year-old Samuel from Italy, 33 year-old Yesvi from Guatemala, and 21 year-old Francisco from Spain – would soon sit down in turns, speaking to the Holy Father in the purest form: a pastor and his sheep.

This time, unlike at previous events and meetings, there was no music playing from loudspeakers, nor were there any images being broadcast from maxi screens. The only music in the air was the vague echo of the usual chant “esta es la juventud del papa”, (this is the youth of the Pope), from the pilgrims on the sides of the road who follow him wherever he goes and feel only the excitement of his presence, not necessarily aware of what he is doing or where he is headed.

As the journalists focused their cameras on the confessional under the tree, having fought to obtain the best spot, Pope Francis got out of his car and disappeared amongst the garden of confessionals.

A priest in the confessional

One by one the three young people joined him, in the privacy with which he had chosen to protect them, in a confessional far from the eyes of the cameras. With this gesture, the Pope upheld the mood which should surround the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and in comfort and quiet the young people confessed their sins and received Absolution from Pope Francis.

Speaking to journalists after their confessions, the three young people all spoke of the privilege they felt, of the surreality of what had just happened.

Samuel, speaking afterwards to Vatican News’ Alessandro di Bussolo, emphasised this feeling of closeness and humanity he received from the Holy Father.

“You could tell from each of our expressions this morning that we were tense,” he recounted, “but the Pope, with a smile, his tone of voice, his openness... He made the confession just as it would have been with any other priest.”

In this moment of fragility, the Holy Father managed to make those close to him, those who are usually physically far, at home and comfortable.

Light in darkness

This continued fifteen minutes later, just a few kilometres away, in the Centro Paroquial da Serafina, where Pope Francis, in a small auditorium, met with around 100 representatives of several charitable organisations.

The people in the audience ranged from being two years old to elderly people, all involved, in one form or another, with the institutions that care for suffering young people.

The Centro Paroquial da Serafina looks after around 800 people, of all ages, even providing meals and at-home care; Ajuda de Berço takes in babies and children abandoned by their parents or removed from their families through neglect; and the association Acreditar, instead, is dedicated to helping children and their families tackle the changes that come when faced with paediatric cancer.

Three representatives of the different organisations presented what they do, bringing a deafening silence to the room as each person was submerged in the harsh realities that come with illness, old age, and neglect.

But in this case, too, Pope Francis was able to put everyone at ease, to offer comfort, even if less directly. As he read his prepared remarks, he put his papers down and looked up, scanning the room.

“I have everything I need to say written here,” he confessed, “but the reality is that I don’t want to strain my eyes!”

The hundred or so people suddenly came to life and broke out in a wave of laughter, applauding the Pope, partly for his joke, but partly also for bringing light in that moment of darkness.

He continued addressing the room, which was a very different room by now, and as he made eye contact with different people, expressed closeness and care, reminding them that the Church is like a source that provides water for entire populations: she shares Christ's life and love.

This love was then carried into the parish next door, where he met with some of the ill and some of the people who attend the parish. It was a surprise visit, not on anyone’s schedule, and with this small gesture, Pope Francis brought light into their lives too, and just like in the previous meetings that morning, he had done so in the most natural of ways: with a smile and a touch of tenderness.