Today Pope Francis has a special appointment: he will meet 6,000 children from 56 countries, who will talk to him about their dreams, questions, and personal stories. The event, titled “Let Us Learn from Boys and Girls,” is organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, in collaboration with other ecclesial and civil organizations.
The initiative stems from the Pope’s desire to listen to the voices of children, who are the protagonists of the future and teachers of hope. As the Pontiff himself said, children teach us “the clarity of relationships, the spontaneous acceptance of those who are strangers, and respect for all creation.” For this reason, he invited everyone to “once again have feelings as pure as those of children” and to “learn from them.”

The event will take place in the Paul VI Audience Hall, where the children will arrive after visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and praying at the tomb of St. Peter. The Pope will welcome them with a brief speech, then engage in dialogue with some of them, who will ask him questions about topics such as peace, family, school, play, the environment, and faith. He will also listen to the stories of children living in difficult situations, such as war, poverty, illness, and discrimination. Finally, he will receive some symbolic gifts, such as a soccer ball bearing the flags of countries in conflict, a rainbow flag with the handprints of children from around the world, and a flower crown with photos of the children who disappeared in the Mediterranean.
The meeting will be a moment of celebration, joy, and emotion. The children will express their gratitude to the Pope with applause, songs, and banners. They will show their liveliness, curiosity, and faith. They will demonstrate that they are capable of building bridges rather than walls, engaging in dialogue rather than arguing, and dreaming rather than giving up.
The Pope and the children will bear witness to the whole world: to love that conquers hatred, hope that conquers fear, and joy that conquers sadness.

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