Pope meets organizers of Rio WYD

April 07, 2014 - Pope Francis on Monday received in the Vatican, members of the organizing committee of the World Youth Day celebrated in July last year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. An ‘unforgettable journey’ was how the Argentine Pope described his first international trip, while talking to some 60 persons led by Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro. The Pope thanked the Brazilians for receiving him with open arms. He said he had asked permission to enter their hearts, but after a week he was full of nostalgia while flying back to Rome. “Brazilians are a thief,” the Pope said, because they robbed his heart. He thanked them for the robbery, for contaminating him with their enthusiasm, and for helping him overcome the nostalgia of Brazil with MOnday's visit. He urged the organizing committee to look to the future, assured that God will multiply their efforts in spreading the message of the World Youth Day. The Pope particularly urged them to follow the example of St. José de Anchieta, a 16^th century Jesuit and apostle of Brazil, whom he declared a saint on April 3.