Delegation of Catholic youth from India inspired by Pope Francis. -Sixth Asian Youth day

Mangalore Today News Network

Korea, Aug 16, 2014:  A delegation of Catholic youth from India has joined Pope Francis in South Korea to celebrate the sixth Asian Youth Day, hosted by Daejeon archdiocese.  Delegation leaders said Pope Francis has been a great inspiration and motivation to young people to be witness to the Gospel in the country.

Bishop Henry D’Souza of Bellary, the chairman of the Office for Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and Fr. Franklin D’Souza, secretary of the bishops’ Office for Youth are leading the 47-member delegation of Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM).

The week-long program began Aug. 10 and Pope Francis arrived in Seoul Thursday, marking the first papal visit to the country in 25 years.  Pope Francis will take part in the youth programs during his three-day visit to Korea, which said to be historic as it shows Catholicism’s shifting demographics as an increasing number of believers come Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Pope Francis is joining in the youth rally, and will bring the curtain down on the event with a Mass on Sundayafternoon in Daejeon.  Youth delegations from Asian countries are gathered in South Korea on the theme “Asian Youth Wake up - The Glory of Martyrs shines on you”.

Bishop Henry told Vatican Radio’s reporter in Korea that the events will underscore the need to transmit the joy of the Gospel to young people.  Bishop Henry particularly drew attention to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” (the Joy of the Gospel), saying young Indian Catholics have taken the pope’s call seriously and are not afraid.

Courtesy: Vatican Radio