Anna, seven months pregnant; Chiara, a 22-year-old student who has already been to WYD in Lisbon; Titian, a deacon; Jano, a 19-year-old young man disabled due to an accident: these are some of the many faithful who will be present at the Pope’s events on April 28: “A unique and unrepeatable occasion. Words of encouragement from you”
Alvise Sperandio – Venice
There is great expectation for Francis’ visit to Venice tomorrow, Sunday, April 28. There will be ten thousand faithful present at the solemn mass celebrated outdoors in St. Mark’s Square, one of the most beautiful in the world, with views of the Basilica and the bell tower.
Among the participants will be Anna Bessegato, from Mestre, 34 years old, educator by profession, from the parish of Santa Maria Goretti, future mother, in her seventh month, of her and her husband Marco Margiotta’s second child.
“I know it can be a challenge for me, moving around pregnant among so many people,” she explains. “But since I found out that the Pope was coming to Venice, I thought it would be a unique and unrepeatable opportunity to be at the mass. We will go as a family for a moment of consecration.”
“I have always been struck by the great love he transmits about the Pope: as parents we have the responsibility of the educational challenge, which is not easy, and as believers we think that this love that Francis shows us towards our neighbors is a beacon to follow”
Words from the Pope for all young people
There will be a meeting with the young people. There will be sixteen hundred from all over the northeast who will dialogue with the Pope on the topics of hope, peace, the present and the future, their own and that of the world. This is what Chiara Favaretto, 22 years old, from Carpenedo, a university student at Ca’ Foscari, points out:
“There is great joy at the arrival of Peter’s successor to the city. After having met him last summer at World Youth Day in Lisbon, the idea of being able to see him again here, in our city, excites me. I am sure that words will come from the Pope that will touch the hearts of young people and will be related to our daily lives.”
“Francis embodies the love of God and tells us that each of us is loved by God. It will be wonderful to accompany the Pope along the pontoon bridge between La Salute and San Marco.”
“I wish all my colleagues to live this experience fully and to carry in their hearts the message that Pope Francis will give us. And, as he always invites us, let us not forget to pray for him.”
We hope you encourage us in our service.
Tiziano Scatto, deacon of the first group ordained in the diocese in 1986 and secretary of the diaconal community, says instead:
“The meeting with the Pope is a great gift from the Lord and his infinite mercy. We hope that He will confirm us in the faith and encourage us to continue in the work of witness with the service to which we are all called, above all as baptized people. ”.
“Venice is the door between West and East: Paul VI during his visit said that we do not have to go to the world because it is the world that comes to Venice. Without a doubt, Francis’ presence and message will have international relevance.”
The story of Janus, disabled by accident
Accompanied by his sister, Jano Paja, 19 years old and of Albanian origin, he will take his place in the section reserved for the disabled and sick. He was the victim of a serious accident on June 22 of last year, after diving into the wrong pool, as a result of which he became a quadriplegic: after almost dying and almost a year in the hospital, undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, he returned to home fifteen days ago and will be in Venice thanks to the interest of his parish priest, Father Sandro Manfrè, in the Cipressina neighborhood.
“I am trying little by little to return to life – he says with his aunt Linda – and being there for this beautiful occasion also has a symbolic meaning. We worry a lot. Now I am better and we look forward with confidence. In my new state I have many difficulties at home, which is on the third floor of an old apartment block without an elevator, with a bathroom that is too small. We will also pray for this: to find a solution to these problems. Thank you to those who can help us.
