World Youth Day took Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, by storm for a week of celebration of the Catholic faith. Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from around the world, including some from Africa, gathered for this major event.
The arrival of Pope Francis in Lisbon marked the start of the festivities. The young people were impatient to meet him and live this experience of faith together. Among them, Chrystelle, a young woman from Niger, expressed her joy at carrying the flag of her country during the meeting with the Pope. For her, it is a symbol of peace and hope for her country, which is currently going through a period of political instability.
Ismaël, a young Sudanese refugee in Portugal, also expressed his gratitude for being present at WYD, hoping that the pope’s visit could help change the war situation in his home country. He sees this occasion as an opportunity to change the way young people see the world and to promote peace.
Willy Ba Mbomba from Gabon, for his part, underlines the importance of sharing experiences and strengthening the Church during WYD. He believes the event is crucial to revitalizing the Catholic faith, which is experiencing declining popularity in many countries.
However, it is important to note that many young Africans were unable to participate in WYD due to difficulties in obtaining visas. Some countries, such as Cameroon, have seen their visa applications rejected, limiting the participation of their delegations. Father Clément Mevo, member of the Cameroonian delegation, denounces these prejudices and believes that all young Africans should have the right to be present at such events.
WYD in Lisbon is therefore a unique opportunity for young Catholics from around the world to come together, share their faith and promote peace. However, it is important to address logistical challenges such as obtaining visas, in order to enable more young people to participate in these inspiring events.