“Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen.”

(cf. Acts 26:16)

Pope Francis releases his message for the 2021 Diocesan World Youth Day, and calls on young Christians to courageously bear witness to Jesus Christ, in the footsteps of St. Paul. As he celebrated a Mass marking the 36th World Youth Day, he urged young people on Sunday to “be the critical conscience of society”.

World Youth Day is observed in local dioceses, but every two to three years there is a week-long international celebration, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. The next gathering will be in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, in 2023.

Read the inspiring message from Pope Francis in full here – MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE XXXVI WORLD YOUTH DAY

“Arise! Uphold social justice, truth and integrity, human rights. Protect the persecuted, the poor and the vulnerable, those who have no voice in society, immigrants.”

This particular invitation speaks to those who are interested in the values of SSVP. If you would like to explore how to put these values into practice, why not  join your school SSVP Group or contact your local SSVP parish Conference and ask how you may help.