"With Mary, let us learn to greet each and every person, individually and collectively."
Homily of the Opening Mass of the World Youth Day
Cardinal-Patriarch D. Manuel Clemente of Lisbon
Parque Eduardo VII, August 1, 2023
With warm regards from Cardinal Patriarch D. Manuel Clemente,
"Welcome, everyone! I extend a heartfelt welcome to all of you, embracing the ecumenical, interreligious, and goodwill aspects that define this Journey and unite us," he warmly addresses all the participants of World Youth Day Lisbon 2023.
During his speech, he emphasizes three significant points:
"Mary embarks on a journey," a challenging one, as "she was a young woman like you, who had just conceived Jesus," facing difficulties of distance, connections, and costs.
Amidst the gathering of so many young people, he highlights the importance of physical presence and direct engagement, advocating for contemplation of the world and collaborative efforts towards its improvement, rather than excessive reliance on virtual communication.
Recognizing the significance of social communication in daily life, he emphasizes the need for personal experiences and direct engagement with reality, as we are all responsible for our actions.
Coming from diverse corners of the world, the participants enrich the event with their backgrounds, languages, and cultures, contributing to a shared experience during WYD.
He reflects on the moment when Mary hurriedly reached the mountain, carrying the blessed fruit, Jesus, and relates it to the presence of the Holy Spirit among the attendees, invoking a sense of God's presence during the event.
He recalls how Pope Francis enthusiastically accepted the theme of the Journeys, acknowledging the urgency without anxiety.
Drawing inspiration from Mary's meeting with Elizabeth, he encourages the young people to actively engage with others, just as Portugal, Lisbon, families, and institutions wholeheartedly welcome all participants.
The Patriarch reiterates the theme of welcome, urging everyone to pay attention to others and foster sincere and reciprocal connections.
As a commitment of this World Youth Day, he invites everyone to learn from Mary's example and greet each person they encounter with sincerity and kindness, promoting genuine connections among people.