On Saturday, August 2, 2025, on a cool morning in Rome, the garden of the Seraphicum<\/em> College was transformed into a large space for prayer and communion, which accommodated 700 young people from all over the world. Seated on the grass in groups according to nationality, the participants in the 9th<\/sup> International Youth Toward Assisi Meeting, entitled \u201cLights of Hope,\u201d celebrated Mass together. It was the central moment of their day and a significant milestone on their pilgrimage.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, presided over the Mass, which was celebrated at 9:00 a.m. in the garden in front of the Seraphicum<\/em> refectory. About fifty friar priests concelebrated, including some members of the General Definitory. The student friars of the Seraphicum<\/em> took care of the liturgical service during the Mass. Music for the liturgy was performed with passion by the GVA Choir, directed by Friar Emanuel CHIRICHE\u0218. Office of Communications<\/p>\n
\nThe hymn, prayers, and readings were proclaimed in different languages. This visibly expressed the beauty of the Church\u2019s universality and Franciscan fraternity. Everything took place in a solemn and focused atmosphere, made even more meaningful by the occasion: the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, also known as the Pardon of Assisi. In the Franciscan tradition, this day is closely tied to the grace of plenary indulgence and to God\u2019s mercy.
\nFriar Carlos celebrated the Mass in Spanish, but the Word and the Eucharistic liturgy resounded in several different languages, as a sign marking the shared journey among the young people who came from many different nations, namely: Argentina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay and Zambia.
\nThe Minister General gave a fatherly and profound homily. He offered the young people words of hope and encouragement. Among other things, he said:
\n\u201cYou are coming to the end of this pilgrimage, which has undoubtedly been a beautiful experience, because you have met people from other countries with whom you share your faith.\u201d
\nHe went on to remind them: \u201cYou have visited none other than Rome and Assisi,\u201d and that they have retraced \u201cthe very paths of St. Francis, St. Clare, and of those young people who, captivated by the Gospel of Jesus, renewed the Church of their day and filled their social surroundings with new hope.\u201d He added: \u201cYou have arrived at the threshold of the Apostles Peter and Paul\u2026you will even meet the successor of Peter\u2014the \u2018Lord Pope,\u2019 as St. Francis used to say,\u201d referencing communion with the Church and with the Bishop of Rome.
\nHe further emphasized: \u201cYou see, all pilgrimages are a symbol of our own lives. The path we travel externally is a sign and a memory that gives profound meaning to our lives, to the dreams that inspire us, to the projects we nurture, and to the challenges we face.\u201d
\nHe concluded: \u201cOver these days, you have explored various facets of your lives. All these things are like a pilgrimage.\u201d
\nAt the end of the celebration, Friar Carlos gave his blessing, and immediately afterwards the youth gathered for a large group photo, together with all the friars– a living memory of an encounter that left a deep impression on their hearts.
\nIn the afternoon, the participants continued their journey with a prayer vigil with Pope Leo XIV at the Tor Vergata <\/em>University in Rome, the heart of the 2025 Youth Jubilee.<\/p>\n