Father Gino David, born in Mozambique, left South Africa for the World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023. Between kits and credentials, he waited anxiously at the door of Catholic University of Portugal for the arrival of the pilgrims. 

His journey began with a seven-hour flight to Abu Dhabi, followed by four hours of waiting at the airport to catch another flight to Madrid. After a night's sleep in Madrid, the next destination was the Parish of São Cosme, in Braga, where Father Gino David was able to live the Days in Dioceses, which he remembers as a “good experience”. The long hours of travel culminated in a week of interculturality, in which “some strolls” were taken and “historical places” were visited. 

On the eve of the start of WYD Lisbon 2023, on July 31st, Father Gino David was waiting for the reunion of the six groups from South Africa, who had been dispersed across several dioceses in Portugal in the past few days. The Mozambican priest reveals his great desire “to see and meet all the young people who will gather” in the capital. Despite the difficulties that come with keeping a large group of pilgrims together, Gino says he also happily faces the complications “as part of the WYD”. 

There is a desire which goes beyond borders and that Father Gino David and many other young people have come to see come true: “Everyone is very anxious. We want to see the Pope!”, he adds.