18-year-old alter server Cyril is one of 130 Luxembourgers to have made the trip to Lisbon for the occasion of World Youth Day 2023. He described it as an enormous and near incredible experience.
The group that has travelled from the archdiocese Luxembourg is about 280 people strong and, aside from the Luxembourgers, also includes Australians, Thai, Vietnamese, Ethiopians, and French people.
When asked about the popularity of the event, Cyril noted: “People are generally motivated by a common cause, something that brings them here. Something that connects them. And it is very nice to see that this happens on a global scale.”
28-year-old Félix, who was already at the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro ten years ago, also made the trip to Lisbon and has a similar viewpoint: “It is simply the atmosphere, you can find so many people who think the same, who come from countries around the globe, who get involved, who live their faith, that is what you find in a place like this.”
The Pope, who is still recovering from a recent surgery, arrived in Lisbon on Wednesday. His appearance was not only met by cheers, but also by protests due to the high costs of his journey, estimated around €160 million.
Nevertheless, for Cyril there is no festival without the Pope: “If the Pope would not come, then it would not be a [World Youth Day] for me. Although it is only my first time, I say that without the Pope’s presence it is not a Christian festivity.”
Due to his current state of health, the Pope is expected not to say mass on Thursday evening.
The World Youth Day festival will conclude on Sunday. Organisers expect 600,000 to 1.5 million pilgrims to travel to Portugal for the occasion.
