Currently in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, World Youth Day (WYD) 2023 is taking place. Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from all over the world have converged on this city to participate in this major religious event. The participants, coming from more than 150 countries, have the opportunity to meet, exchange and celebrate their faith together.
This year, WYD has a particular resonance for young Africans. Indeed, many young people from the continent made the trip to Lisbon to attend these days, despite the difficulties associated with obtaining visas. Some had to overcome administrative and financial obstacles to be able to reach the Portuguese capital.
For Chrystelle, a young woman from Niger, wearing her country’s flag during WYD is a strong symbol. She hopes that her presence and that of other young Africans will be a message of peace, in a context marked by political instability in her country of origin. For his part, Ishmael, a young Sudanese refugee in Portugal, sees the pope’s visit as an opportunity to change things and promote peace in his war-torn country.
However, not all young Africans who wished to participate in WYD were able to obtain visas, which led to frustration and criticism. Some believe that the criteria for issuing visas are often based on prejudices and stereotypes about young Africans. Voices were raised to denounce this situation and ask for more understanding and support to enable young Africans to fully participate in WYD.
Despite the difficulties, the young Africans present in Lisbon are determined to make their voices heard and to share their experiences with the other participants. They see their presence as essential to strengthen the Church and promote the faith in a context where it is in decline. World Youth Day is an opportunity for them to celebrate their spirituality and find inspiration to build a better future.
In conclusion, World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon is a unique opportunity for young Catholics around the world to come together and celebrate their faith. Despite the difficulties encountered by many young Africans to obtain their visa, their presence marks a strong commitment and a desire to make their voices heard. These young people thus bring a diversity and a cultural richness which contribute to the dynamics of this major religious event