The president of the World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 Foundation and main face of the organization of the meeting of young people with the Pope presented today, at the International Congress of Youth Ministry, which takes place in the Vatican, "the fruits of WYD Lisbon 2023 in the Church and in Portuguese society".

"The organization of WYD in Portugal decided to create cells at the level of each parish, each vicarage and each diocese. (...) This structure involved thousands of young people throughout mainland Portugal and the islands since 2019. Many of these young people were not present or involved in any other ecclesial reality, and they were and are one of the most important fruits for the Church and Portuguese society", stressed Américo Aguiar, before about 300 delegates from the episcopal conferences of 110 countries.

According to the bishop of Setúbal, "the local, regional and national structures, with the participation of members of the Church and various civil organizations, still remain today".

Other aspects that the cardinal made a point of highlighting in his speech were volunteering, which "grew and gained a dimension that surprised everyone", as well as the host families, who welcomed thousands of young foreigners into their homes during the period of WYD Lisbon 2023.

"Another characteristic of WYD Lisbon 2023 was the fact that the main WYD events were simplified as much as possible, bringing young people and official guests closer together and highlighting the identity of each WYD: a meeting of young people, with young people and for young people", he stressed to the participants of the congress organized by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.

In a speech taking stock, but also pointing out paths for the next WYDs, Américo Aguiar also made a point of "highlighting the unique and decisive role of the number one pilgrim of all WYDs, the Pope".

"His support and dedication to the preparation and organization of WYD have been tireless. Between 2019 and 2023, I traveled to Rome many times for audiences, where I listened to and welcomed his feelings and dreams for WYD Lisbon 2023. I am aware that we tried to do as much as we could. But much more important was to see how our Pope Francis overcame and surpassed all the obstacles and negative clouds that we encountered on the long road we traveled", said the youngest Portuguese cardinal.

The next WYD will take place in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027.

The presentation of the final accounts of WYD Lisbon 2023 is scheduled for May 31.

Although the accounts had not yet been closed, in statements to Lusa in February, Américo Aguiar estimated a positive result of at least 20 million euros.

WYD Lisbon 2023 took place in Lisbon between August 1 and 6, with the participation of hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the world, and the main moments were presided over by Pope Francis.

Read Also: Tolentino Mendonça destaca papel das instituições da Igreja na Educação (Portuguese version)