Pope Francis is headed to Portugal for World Youth Day. The event, started by John Paul II, remains transformational for young people and those who love them. A papal occasion isn’t breaking news in comparison with all the headlines that draw eyes, but these events make an impression on those present in ways that renew them.
My first World Youth Day came when I was 40. I was covering it, not joining it in the traditional manner. But it was impossible not to be affected by it. It was the summer when Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were running for president of the United States. Both political conventions were happening in the U.S. while many of us were in Poland for the papal visit. I distinctly remember a few days when I woke up in the middle of the night, European time, to watch the political conventions — acceptance speeches and other events. I remember being tired and maybe publishing tweets that were saucier than usual. More than a few people encouraged me to do that more often. I immediately examined my conscience. Here I was at a gathering of prayer, and I wasn’t showing the best of it. I was being distracted by what everyone else was following.
Comments