The Vatican will celebrate the first World Children's Day in May. Pope Francis emphasized that the focus should be on the children and that the meeting should be like one between a grandparent and their grandchildren. It will be an opportunity to listen to their questions and discuss topics such as peace, the environment and encountering Jesus as the Pope announced in December 2023.
POPE FRANCIS
On May 25 and 26 next year, we will celebrate the first World Children's Day in Rome. The initiative, sponsored by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, answers the question: what kind of world do we wish to pass on to children who are growing up? Like Jesus, we want to put children at the center and care for them.
The invitation is extended to children from all over the world and from different religions between the ages of 6 and 12. Parents will be able to register their children through the event website. The Vatican has already announced that children coming from war zones, such as Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Palestine and Ukraine, will have a special place.
The event will begin on May 25 at 3pm with the first meeting between the Pope and the children. The following day they will have a second papal audience at 10:30 am.
The motto of this event is a passage from the Bible: “I make all things new.” With this, the Pope wants to invite everyone to be like children, who see the world through eyes of innovation and hope.
PA
TR: KG