By Vatican News
At the conclusion of the Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Pope Francis greeted young people present from around the world, in particular the delegation from Portugal which hosted the most recent World Youth Day gathering in 2023, and the South Korean delegation which will host the next gathering in Seoul 2027.
The Pope recalled the World Youth Day symbols – the Cross and the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani – that the Portuguese youth are now handing over to the Korean youth and how they were entrusted to them by Saint John Paul II so that they could take them around the world. The Pope encouraged the Korean youth, reminding them that by carrying the Cross in Asia they proclaim the love of Christ for all.
During the midday Angelus that followed the Mass, the Pope had on either side of him two Korean youth who will take the Cross to Korea in preparation for the 2027 World Youth Day there. The Pope asked everyone in the Square to give them and their delegation a round of applause as well as to the Portuguese young people and delegation who handed over the Cross that featured in the 2023 WYD in Lisbon.
He also shared news he had given recently that on Apr 27 2025, during the Jubilee of Teenagers, he will proclaim Blessed Carlo Acutis a Saint. He also added that as the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has informed him that the process for the cause of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is coming to a positive conclusion, he also plans to canonise him on Aug 3 2025 during the Jubilee of Youth, following his consultation with the Cardinals. He asked everyone to give a round of applause for the new saints.
