The Rise UP Preparatory Encounters will address three central themes of Francisco’s Pontificate: Integral ecology, social friendship and the great announcement of God's love.

The first Encounter about Integral Ecology was launched on April 3rd, with the aim of calling all young people to reflect together on what they want to leave for future generations.

This was the theme chosen to inaugurate the Rise Up Preparatory Encounters, his [Pope Francis] first encyclical was Laudato Si' related, indeed, to the care of our common home and Integral Ecology", said Gabriela Godinho, a volunteer from the Pastoral Direction of the World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023. The young volunteer also mentioned the choice that Pope Francis made about his name inspired by St. Francis of Assisi "the saint of nature and animals".

Also when sustainability is increasing like a concern among young people, this, according to Gabriela Godinho "ends up being a theme that matters them and, in this case, in the light of faith". Within the scope of Integral Ecology will be include topics such as pollution, inequality, the care with water, among other issues.

Watch the full interview here:

These Rise UP Preparatory Encounters are open to all young people and groups who wish to participate, even if they are pilgrims of the WYD Lisbon 2023 or not, like catechesis and youth groups or movements and ecclesial realities linked to youth and university ministries.

The groups will be able to organize the sessions according to their needs Support materials will be available for them here. In addition, all groups are invited to submit their reflections in an online form here.