Teens take centre stage at Jubilee event
(Vatican Radio) The Jubilee for teens got underway Saturday as part of the celebrations for the Extraordinary Year of Mercy. The theme for this three day event is “Growing merciful as the Father”, and brings together 70 thousand teenagers from here in Italy and all over the world.
The event kicked off with a pilgrimage to the Holy Door, followed by confessions which were heard by the priests present and by Pope Francis himself, in the colonnade of St Peter’s Basilica.
Later on Saturday the teens will travel to Rome’s Olympic Stadium where there will be a video message from the Holy Father.
Meanwhile, on Sunday morning the 13 to 16 year olds will be back in St Peter’s Square for a Mass presided over by Pope Francis.
Among those who have traveled to Rome to be at this event is the Sullivan family from North Carolina in the United States.
Ryan and Emily Sullivan along with their parents Susan and Matt dropped into the studios of Vatican Radio to talk about the Teen Jubilee with Lydia O’Kane.
Listen to the interview
Both Emily and Ryan spoke of their excitement at being in Rome for such a significant gathering with Emily adding that it was “cool” that this weekend’s Jubilee was for their age group.
“It’s exciting as a youth to be thought of and focused on”, she said.
Parents Matt and Susan are hoping that this experience with resonate with their children and will be an opportunity for them to “explore their faith”.
For Susan having a Teen Jubilee is extremely important, remarking that they are “they future of our Church.”
The Teen Jubilee runs until Monday 25th.