The Holy Father will meet with Argentine youth who have traveled to Rio de Janeiro for the 2013 World Youth Day, said Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi. The meeting will take place in the Cathedral of of Rio de Janeiro. The meeting was added to the program for Thursday. The Pope will go there to greet them,” Fr. Lombardi confirmed. The meeting is planned for 12:30 pm.
AICA news agency reported that Father Dario Quintana, OAR, coordinator of the Youth Pastoral of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, said he had the opportunity to see the Pope when he entered the lower floor of Rio’s cathedral on Monday, July 22, to change cars and greet the thousands of faithful who lined the streets. “He greeted us, he saw me, and made a gesture of recognition, as he usually does. And he did a gesture as to say ‘we will see one another soon.’” The incident happened at 5:05 pm, moment in which the cathedral of Saint Sebastian was already crowded with faithful, who began to arrive an hour before.
In an interview on Vatican Radio, Father Lombardi explained Pope Francis’ activities yesterday on the opening day of WYD, where an Inaugural Mass was held at Copacabana Beach. “Naturally, this is also a very important event for the Pope, even if he wasn’t present,” Fr. Lombardi said.
“Traditionally, the Pope isn’t present at this event but he knows that it is in fact the point of departure of these Days and, therefore, the pulse of these Days is felt. We have already had more than half a million young people this afternoon (referring to yesterday afternoon) with cold, rain. This means that things are going very well. The enthusiasm could be felt. What was witnessed was a great desire, a great expectation on the part of young people and, hence, of the Pope, who followed the event on television. He knows that when he arrives; who knows what will happen.”
