One year after WYD Lisbon 2023: images and words of an encounter with the living Jesus

The voice of the Holy Father encouraging the 1.5 million participants not to be afraid of the future, the faces of the pilgrims who came to Lisbon from all over the world and the music of the hymn “Há pressa no ar”: these are the ingredients for a video just released on the official social channels of World Youth Day, to recall the first anniversary of the Day that ended one year ago, on 6 August, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Cardinal Americo Aguiar: “It was worth it, because we were the living Church of Our Lord”

“After one year,” commented the General Coordinator of the Portuguese WYD, H.E. Cardinal Americo Manuel Alves Aguiar, “I look back and it was worth it. Every day, every trip, every meeting – and there were thousands of them – every celebration.”

After one year, as always at the end of every World Youth Day, no one can ever imagine the fruits that may be borne and grow in the lives of young pilgrims, local churches or even the universal Church. We are unable to make such predictions when we talk about the life of God in the heart of humanity. Yet, step by step, in the ordinary life of the Church, God works to change the life of each person. “It was worth it” said Card. Aguiar, "above all, because we were the living Church of Our Lord. Which sings, prays and weeps. Which rejoices, grieves, is full of hope and trust. Which gathers in Jesus and with the living Jesus. Which gathers around the Shepherd and rejoices at just seeing Him pass by. The living Church of Our Lord, where we are all beloved sons and daughters, all, all, all of us!”

In November, the traditional passing of WYD symbols from Lisbon to Seoul

Now, looking to Seoul 2027, crossing over to the Jubilee of the Youth in 2025, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life continues to accompany the preparation of the upcoming World Day at the level of the particular Churches, which will be celebrated on the Solemnity of Christ the King, Sunday, 24 November. On this occasion, there will be the transfer and handover of the symbols of the meeting – the wooden cross and the copy of the Marian icon of Salus Populi Romani – from the youth in Lisbon to the youth in Seoul.