A great ecclesial meeting whose protagonists are the little ones and that rekindles hope in everyone for the future for the Church and for human society. Thus, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, underlined the value of World Children’s Day, which will be celebrated in Rome on May 25 and 26. When presenting it to journalists this May 16, at the Press Office of the Holy See, the cardinal recalled that the values of freedom, mutual respect, and solidarity can be transmitted and lived from an early age. In this sense, the Day wants to offer a sign of communion and a “prophecy” of unity and peace.
Initiatives in the different local Churches
The cardinal explained that during the two days many groups, associations, and people will meet in Rome; but the event also includes initiatives at the diocesan level, left to the creativity of the different local Churches. The intention is to involve the entire ecclesial community so that the meeting constitutes an invitation to everyone to be like children to capture the innovations raised by the Spirit. Subsequently, Father Enzo Fortunato, coordinator of the Day, stressed the “global reach” of the event, which represents a “counterpoint of hope” and “a signal for the leaders.” We want to look at the world through the eyes of children, who are the hope of the people, and their future. The simplicity of their heart, he observed, is a gift from God and, for those who know how to accept it, the possibility of peace. It is, essentially, a response to the sad situation of many children who are exploited, injured, made to suffer, without food or water, indoctrinated in violence, who are not given bread, but a weapon, not the word of love, but hate.
The program
Next, the conventual Franciscan explained the program of the meeting. On the morning of the first day, the Children’s Village will be inaugurated and later the Olympic Stadium. Carlo Conti will lead the event, which will begin with a procession of children dressed in traditional costumes, representing 101 nations, to carry his message of peace. This will be followed by the greeting of the Cardinal of Mendonça and the interpretation of the event’s anthem, prepared by maestro Marco Frisina and performed by the Zecchino d’Oro choir and the Galassia dell’Antoniano choirs, for a total of approximately 1,500 child singers. Then some small and “big” artists such as Renato Zero, Al Bano, Orietta Berti, Carolina Benvenga will perform. This will be followed by shows, songs, reflections, as well as spiritual reflections and testimonies. Participating will be, among others, Catherine Russell, executive director of Unicef, Lino Banfi, director Matteo Garrone and the protagonist of his latest film “Io Capitano”, the Senegalese Seydou Sarr.
The Pope in the Olympic Stadium
In the afternoon, Pope Francis is expected to arrive at the Stadium. After the welcome moment, Francisco will answer questions from representatives of children from around the world. This will be followed by a five-minute football match between children and some internationally famous footballers, captained by goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. It will be the Pontiff himself who will kick off A Cirque du Soleil show will follow. The event will be broadcast on world vision.
The Mass in Saint Peter
On Sunday, May 26, in St. Peter’s Square, the Mass presided over by the Pope will be preceded by the entry of some children dressed in traditional costumes and, after the recitation of the Regina Caeli, Roberto Benigni will give life to a monologue that will conclude the day. For his part, Marco Impagliazzo, president of the Community of San Egidio, highlighted the theme of peace, which emerged through drawings, letters and works created by the children themselves, which insistently repeat the message that only Pope Francis can help humanity reconcile with itself. Impagliazzo later explained that many of the children present arrived in Italy through humanitarian corridors. Some of them come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, others from Afghanistan and others from Syria. Among them are children from 7 to 11 years old who have never gone to school because they were born in a refugee camp, in Uganda, Kenya, Lebanon or Ethiopia; but also Ukrainians who since the beginning of the war have been guests of families from Sant’Egidio and Italian parishes. A delegation from Gaza will also be present, with some injured children, who arrived thanks to the humanitarian mission of the Italian government and welcomed by the Community itself. This day, Impagliazzo concluded, he is called to answer a painful question: whether humanity is getting used to the suffering of children.
