The young Portuguese woman sent a letter to Francis in June in which she expressed her suffering for the young people at World Youth Day in Lisbon. “I will accompany you on this journey,” the Pope answered her, when it seemed to the girl that she had little time left to live. Today, however, a new greeting: “Continue to pray for young people who need strength.” In another video, the Pope also greets the 107-year-old woman Maria da Conceição, whom she met in Lisbon
Salvatore Cernuzio – Vatican City
Perhaps even she herself did not believe that her body, weakened by a serious illness that had afflicted her for eight years, was capable of such resistance. “The doctor said he didn’t know when I would meet Jesus, but that it would be soon,” he wrote to the pope in a letter addressed to him from the hospital in June last year. Edna Rodrigues, 17 years old, continues to live and move forward despite so much suffering with the same serenity that moved Francesco. Today the Pope himself wanted to greet his “friend” again. This happened through a short video recorded by Cardinal Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar, Bishop of Setúbal (Portugal), one of the organizers of WYD.
The Pope's words in the video
“Edna, I remember you…” the Pope begins in the video. “I remember that you sacrificed all your illness, your pain for the Day of Youth. Thank you for that and thank you for continuing to fight, to continue, to continue!” “Continue,” Francis asks the girl to pray for many young people who need strength to move forward. Don't forget that you are one of the pillars of Youth Day. May God bless you, may Our Lady watch over you and don't forget to pray for me. HELLO!”.
Young Edna in her parish in Lisbon
The exchange of letters and videos over the last year
Last year, Edna signed up for World Youth Day in August in Lisbon, her native Portugal. An opportunity to get to know this “pope who is so important to me and my family” up close; more than anything else, the hope of being able to do it, knowing full well that his physical strength would not have allowed him. In fact, the young woman was unable to take part in the great event together with her peers from the parish of San Massimiliano Kolbe, on the outskirts of the Portuguese capital, and with the other boys and girls from the five continents. “When I learned that the day would take place in Portugal I was very happy because every time I see the Pope's speech on TV I feel good, as if I had no illness that prevented me from attending Participate in World Youth Day. “she wrote in the letter to Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He promptly responded with a one-minute video message in which he said “Thank you” six times to the girl. Thank you for your “tenderness” and for the “peace” you have in your heart, which – said the Pope – “is like a seed planted in the hearts of all of us who see you and of all who who are talking to you.” . “I accompany you on this journey that you are taking. I will accompany you and I know that you will be well received,” added Francesco. “I accompany you by praying for you, praying with you and looking to Jesus, who is always waiting for us.”
The Pope's meeting with Maria da Conceição Brito Mendonça, 107 years old
The message for the 107-year-old Portuguese woman and for the young people of World Youth Day
The Pope today also pledged prayers for Maria da Conceição Brito Mendonça, a 107-year-old woman born on the day of the Fatima apparitions, May 13, 1917, whom he met in the nunciature of Lisbon and who gave him one Rosary brought as a gift. “You are strong and moving forward. Do not slow down, continue to pray the rosaries to support the Church with your prayer and joy,” the Pope urges again in a video recorded today by Cardinal Aguiar.
The cardinal – appointed cardinal in the consistory in September 2023 – then asked the Pope if he could also say a few words to the many boys and girls who took part in the Portuguese World Youth Day and are already preparing for the next World Day in Seoul (Korea des South). “They tell me that you young people have to be provoked, otherwise you will fall asleep. NO! You're not falling asleep, are you? You don’t fall asleep,” Francesco can be heard saying in the video. “Panama, Lisbon, Seoul, it’s a trip for you,” he adds. It's a journey you take and it's an interesting journey that leaves a mark. It is important to leave a mark in life, to leave something behind that you have done. You can say: “A young man came through here and left these marks.” Think for a while: “What marks have I left in my life?” And keep going, don't be discouraged.