(Vatican Radio) In a scene reminiscent of World Youth Day, Pope Francis ended his
pastoral visit to Assisi with an enthusiastic gathering of young people in the square
in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
The atmosphere was electric
as the square was filled with flag-waving and cheering crowds in an evening filled
with music. Pope Francis seemed to pick up on the excitement of the crowd, waving
to the people and, as usual, stopping to greet people along the way.
It was
a fitting end to a busy day in Assisi, marked by encounters with the sick and disabled,
the poor, women and men religious – especially with members of the Franciscan family
– with priests and seminarians, pilgrims from around the world and ordinary men and
women. At each step of his journey, the Pope also made time for quiet moments of prayer
and reflection, following in the footsteps of the “Little Poor Man” of Assisi.
Along
the way, Pope Francis seemed to gain fresh strength and energy with each new meeting.
From his first stop at the Seraphicum Institute, to his final visit to the Rivotorto,
which preserves the memory of the little huts where St Francis stayed with his first
followers, the day was filled with prayer and song, and marked with the joy and the
peace that characterize both the saint and the Pope.