With 40 days to go until World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023, Pope Francis has given a message for all the youth who are "preparing to go to Lisbon" and those who "will accompany WYD from a distance," assuring: "the doctor has told me I can go, so I will be with you."

"I am prepared. I have already everything with me because I really want to go," the Holy Father assured. In addition to the assurance that he will be with all young people in Lisbon from August 2nd to 6th, which are the dates of his visit to Portugal, Pope Francis stressed that the journey along this path is "like a Lent until you reach the meeting in Lisbon," and that WYD is the what draws everyone.

The Holy Father asked young people to "think clearly about what you feel and what you do," "feel what you think and what you do," and "do with efficiency what you think and feel" - "with all your lives" and with the three languages of life: "the language of the head, the language of the heart, and the language of the hands".

Watch the full video here:

To express gratitude, Pope Francis also left a message to all the civilian workers who are making WYD Lisbon 2023 possible. Watch the video here.