His Holiness listened carefully to the explanations on the course provided by Viktorija Kalic and Angel Gudiña, Coordinator of the course and Coordinator of the Don Bosco Network (DBN), and then addressed a message of encouragement to all participants, underlining the importance of the work they do with many children, young people and families, being a source of consolation and not letting themselves be overcome by the discouragement and horror of the wars they face.
In addition, the Pope prayed a Hail Mary with all the participants, each in their own language, and carefully received the various gifts from Ukraine, Syria and Lebanon, which the participants gave him with great devotion. He also signed the flags for participants, including one of the "Amp-Football" team (made up of young men who have undergone amputations). The participants were then able to spend time with Pope Francis, addressing the Holy Father directly.
A good part of the group then went to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, to take a close look at the Altar of Mary Help of Christians, at which Don Bosco wept 16 times while celebrating Mass, as the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, reminded all the participants.
The Rector Major, after sharing his experience in visits to their respective countries with the participants, conveyed his closeness to them and said that neither he nor the Congregation will stop keeping them in mind, both in prayer and in the more concrete support they are receiving.
Then, before the altar of Don Bosco, a Hail Mary was said again and the moment concluded with the blessing of Mary Help of Christians. As is always the case, a group photo and individual photos were then taken and a video was recorded for the three participants who could not be there personally.
These two meetings, with the Pope and the Rector Major, were joyful, unique and unrepeatable moments for which all the participants are so grateful and which gave them the impetus to continue their educational mission in the very difficult contexts they face every day.
We thank the Salesian Pontifical University, especially its vice-dean Fr Michal Vojtas, for organising this course, and Fondazione Don Bosco nel Mondo for covering all the expenses of the participants in Rome.
