Pope Francis meets the children of the Summer Boys in the Vatican
Making peace is the most beautiful thing
Five hundred colored balloons made of natural rubber - all biodegradable, including the rope, expression of the vocation to protect creation of the Governorate - launched into the sky to express joy for meeting with Pope Francis. On each were impressed the words of the Pontiff: "To you, dear boy, to you, dear girl, you are precious in the eyes of God".
It was a sign of joy, affection and familiarity that Pope Francis visited the participants in the Summer Youth in the Vatican on Thursday morning, 18 July.
To welcome the Pope, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, and Sister Raffaella Petrini, respectively president and secretary general of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State, and Fr Franco Fontana, Director of the Salesian community in the Vatican and chaplain of the Directorate of the security services and civil protection and the Vatican Museums.
Instead of the usual meeting in the Paul VI Hall, this year the appointment with Pope Francis took place in the Sports Center dedicated to Saint Joseph. The new complex is located in the heart of the Vatican City State, and is intended for the children of employees.
Upon his arrival, the Pontiff met with the animators, in turn former children who had participated in the initiative in recent years. There are 26 animators, 12 assistant animators and a staff of five lay people and six Salesians/ Salesian. Then he had a conversation with the children and young people who were attending the summer camp, as reported in a statement from the Holy See’s Press Office.
Divided into groups wearing blue, yellow and green T-shirts according to age groups, the children and young people asked five questions of the Pope. In his answers, the Pontiff highlighted the value of the family, parents and the relationship with grandparents. He asked to commit themselves to peace, because "making peace is the most beautiful thing" and to prepare with joy for the next Jubilee.
At the end, a prayer was raised and then the Pope thanked the children and educators who contributed to the realization of the summer oratory: "Thank you for the spirit of joy that you have".
The initiative on the theme of the Wandering Knights was promoted by the Governorate of the Vatican City State and coordinated by Don Fontana. It started on Monday 17 June and will end on Friday 26 July.
Previously, the Pope at Casa Santa Marta had met with the benefactors and sponsors who made possible the construction of the new sports center and in various ways contributed to the initiative: the companies Froneri, Conserve Italia, McDonald’s, Gvm Gruppo Ospedaliero Villa Maria, Elior, Tavina, Motorola, Play It.
