They are changing to watch over the body of Pope Francis. The young people of the Catholic action, coming from various parts of Italy, Rosario in hand and in silence, are continuing an ancient tradition that began with the funeral of Pius IV in 1878. The association that has always considered the Pope the “white father who from Rome you are a destination, light and guidance” confirm their loyalty to the church with a simple but significant gesture. During the night, the national vice -president of young people, Lorenzo Zardi, also spent several hours in his shift as a vigil, in front of Pope Francis. “Young people,” explains the Catholic action, “do not only bring the pain of a mourning. Bring a promise. The promise of a church that continues to walk, pray and hope, in the footsteps of those who served with humility and courage of the risen Christ. It is an ancient gesture », this of the vigil to the Pope before the funeral,” that today is full of a new meaning: to be present, with faith and love, next to the church at the moment of the test. In a time when the Church wonders about the future, the role of lay people, the listening to young people and the value of the testimony, the image of a group of young people who watches in prayer next to the remains of Pope Francis takes on a profound, even prophetic meaning “.
Those present, not only national managers, but young from the diocese and parishes, in small groups alternate in order not to leave the Pope only. “We are here as young people of Catholic action, like our predecessors of the Jewish – Italian youth of Catholic action – respecting and renewing a tradition that taught us to be next to the Church, always”, explain those present. “The moment the universal Church is crossed by the synodal journey, called to rediscover the co -responsibility, listening, the role of the laity and above all of the young people, the presence of the young people of the Catholic action next to the remains of the pontiff appears as a symbolic gesture of hope and continuity. Pope Francis, in his many meetings with the Catholic action, has repeatedly recalled young people to be manufacturers of peace and craftsmen of hope. To be the protagonists: “Your motto is not ‘I don’t care’, but ‘I am interested in!’ – He had told AC young people in 2022 – I am interested in what happens in the world, in history, in my city, in my community.
