The first voyage begins

Pope Francis’ first International Voyage began this morning.  Shortly after 8:45am local time in Rome this morning, the aircraft (an Alitalia A330) departed from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, destined for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  There, the Holy Father will attend the XXVIII World Youth Day which officially begins tomorrow and runs until Sunday (July 28).  The theme of the gathering is based on the words which Saint Matthew put into the mouth of Jesus: Go, make disciples of all the nations (28:19).

The Papal party is scheduled to arrive at the Galeão/Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro at 4:00pm local time (9:00pm local time in Rome; 3:00pm EDT).

Whenever the Pope travels outside the country of Italy, it is his custom to send a telegram to the President of Italy, advising him of his departure and presenting his wishes and prayers.  Here is an English-language translation of the telegram which was dispatched this morning in Rome, at the moment when the aircraft left the Fiumicino International Airport:

To His Excellency

The Honorable Giorgio Napolitano

President of the Republic of Italy

Quirinale Palace

00187 Rome

As I prepare to leave for Brazil, on the occasion of the World Youth Day, to meet the youth who have gathered there from all corners of the world to encourage them to be witnesses of hope and artisans of peace, I am happy to send my cordial greetings to you, Mister President, and to all the Italian people, along with my most fervent wishes of serenity and trust in the future.

Francis, Pope

Pope Francis is the third Roman Pontiff to attend World Youth Day gatherings.  His predecessor, Blessed John Paul II had a long and well-known love for young people, and spent much of his priesthood accompanying and guiding the youth of his native Poland.  Shortly after the beginning of his pontificate, Pope John Paul invited youth from the Diocese of Rome to gather at the Vatican to celebrate the International Jubilee of Youth on Palm Sunday of 1984. More than 300,000 young people came to Rome for that first gathering. It was then that Pope John Paul entrusted the World Youth Day cross to the youth of the world, and it has accompanied the gatherings which have taken place ever since.

The following Palm Sunday, coinciding with the United Nation’s International Year of the Youth, the Holy Father took the opportunity to welcome the youth of the world to Rome again, later, announcing the institution of World Youth Day on December 20, 1985, and the first official WYD was held in 1986.

World Youth Day gatherings have taken place ever since, alternatively at Diocesan levels (traditionally on Palm Sunday) and on an International scale in various locations throughout the world.  Previous International gatherings have taken place in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1987); Santiago di Compostella, Spain (1989); Czestochowa, Poland (1991); Denver, USA (1993); Manila, Philippines (1995); Paris, France (1997); Rome, Italy (2000); Toronto, Canada (2002); Cologne, Germany (2005); Sydney, Australia (2008) and Madrid, Spain (2011).

Each of these gatherings is organized around a biblical theme and includes catechetical sessions which are organized in linguistic groupings.  These are precious occasions for the youth of the world (typically those between the ages of 18 and 35 years) to learn about their faith from various Bishops from various countries around the world.  In addition, there are a number of occasions for other formal and informal gatherings including Youth Festivals, a Vocations Pavilion, opportunities for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Way of the Cross, a walking pilgrimage, an overnight vigil and a Mass presided over by the Pope himself.