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KRAKOW. – Pope Francis celebrated mass yesterday with over 1,5 million pilgrims in a vast sun-drenched field, wrapping up an emotionally charged trip to Poland with some choice technological metaphors. In a nod to today’s Internet-dominated world, Pope Francis urged the congregation, who had travelled to Poland from all over the world, to “download the best link of all, that of a heart which sees and transmits goodness without growing weary”.
“Make the gospel your own, so that it can serve as a satnav for you on the highways of life,” he said during the high spirited service. Even the music was given the techno treatment, with youngsters, nuns and even some bishops leaping and twirling to hymns beefed up with a thumping dance beat. Pope Francis encouraged the assembled faithful to be dreamers who believe “in a new humanity”, one that “rejects hatred between peoples” and “refuses to see borders and barriers”.
The trip’s final festivities were attended by “between 2,5 and 3 million people”, 2016 World Youth Day spokesperson Anna Chmura told AFP. Polish police put the number at “over 1,5 million”. Hundreds of thousands of people had streamed to the grassy site on Saturday with folding chairs, sleeping bags, umbrellas and sun-hats.
“This is the trip of a lifetime, for me and my whole family,” said 29-year old Mexican pilgrim Isaac Victoria, as volunteers handed out bottles of water to the thirsty crowds. At the evening vigil on Saturday, Pope Francis warned that today’s technology also had its dangers.- AFP
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