His first night in Krakow during his first visit to Poland and 15th Apostolic Journey abroad, Pope Francis has told young people from the window of where he is staying at the archbishop’s residence, that he had some bad news to share.
According to Vatican Radio, the Pope called for silence as he spoke about a 22-year-old WYD volunteer who died on July 2 from cancer. The young man was diagnosed in November of last year.
This boy, the Holy Father said, had worked very hard for this World Youth Day and had even booked to travel with him on a tram ride during this festival.
The Holy Father noted the faith of this young man and told the youth below the volunteer was looking down on them. The Pontiff then asked the young people to pray in their hearts, reiterating that the young man was with them and that this was a grace.
During his stay in Krakow, the Holy Father will be residing at the Archbishop’s residence in the heart of the city. This was the home of the Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow, Karol Wojtyla before his elevation to the See of Peter.
From the residence’s window, Pope John Paul II greeted his fellow countrymen on his many papal visits over the course of his pontificate and on Wednesday evening Pope Francis continued that tradition speaking to crowds of young people below.
The Holy Father also noted that he could see that the young people gathered are here with great joy in their hearts.
Pope Francis concluded, joking that the young pilgrims should do what young people do, make noise during these nights, and asking them to pray for him.
