Seeking Pope's blessing, young people sing below his balcony

Lisbon, Portugal, May 11, 2010 / 15:05 pm

On Tuesday evening during the papal visit to Portugal, young people from numerous parishes and ecclesial movements showed up outside the apostolic nunciature and began singing to Pope Benedict. After listening to their songs and cheers, he thanked them for “the kindness you have shown this humble Vicar on earth.”

Reflecting on the day's earlier events, which included an open-air Mass in Lisbon's Palace Square, the Pope said he “appreciated the lively and numerous participation of young people” in the Mass, and that it is “a clear indication of their faith and their desire to build their future on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“Thank you for your joyful witness to Christ, who is eternally young, and thank you for the kindness you have shown to his humble Vicar on earth by gathering here this evening,” he continued.

“You have come to wish me good night and from my heart I thank you; but now you must let me go and sleep, otherwise the night will not be good, and tomorrow awaits us.”

The Pontiff gave his remarks from the balcony to the young people following his dinner. The youth came from different parishes and ecclesial movements to sing in his honor and receive a blessing.

Looking ahead to the upcoming events, the Pope said that he is “very happy in being able to join the multitude of pilgrims to Fatima on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Beatification of Francisco and Jacinta. With Our Lady’s help, they learned to recognize God’s light in the depths of their hearts and to adore it in their lives.”

“May the Virgin Mary obtain the same grace for you and may she protect you!” he added. “I continue to count on you and on your prayers that this Visit to Portugal may bear abundant fruit. And now, with great affection, I give you my blessing, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

“Good night! See you tomorrow. Thank you very much!”