Pope Francis’ meeting with tens of thousands of children began on Saturday afternoon at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. This event opened the first World Children’s Day established by the Pope.
The youngest come from more than 100 countries, including countries where armed conflict still continues. They include Palestinian and Ukrainian children who met the Pope this morning during a special audience at the Vatican.
Pope Francis speaks to boys and girls from Ukraine in their language.
This audience was similar to “a conversation between a grandfather and his grandchildren,” said Father Marcin Schmidt, secretary general of the 5P Global movement which organized this meeting, quoted by Vatican News.
Evenings in Roman stadiums are full of music, sports and spirituality. Originally the song “We are the world” was performed by the famous choir Piccolo Coro dell’Antoniano from Bologna. Flags from all over the world fly.
Francis was accompanied, among others, by former Italian national team goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
World Children’s Day will end on Sunday with morning mass in St Peter’s Square, followed by a monologue by Oscar-winning actor Roberto Benigni.
olnk/PAP
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