2023-07-19 00:03:00
July 18, 2023 / 5:03 p.m.
Pope Francis made an emotional visit to the children who participate in a Summer Center that takes place inside the Vatican and that brings together hundreds of children in a Salesian atmosphere. There the Holy Father told them who his superheroes are.
The meeting took place on Tuesday, July 18. According to the director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, the Pontiff encouraged them to be grateful to their parents and reminded them of the importance of having “a healthy relationship with the digital world.”
On the other hand, according Vatican News, a participant named Elena asked him who his superheroes were. To which the Pope responded excitedly: “The grandparents.”
In this regard, he explained that this is because grandparents “have wisdom.” That is why he stressed that it is important to talk to them.
In images released by Vatican News, Pope Francis can be seen happy talking with the little ones, as if he were a grandfather with his grandchildren.
The children also took the opportunity to show him some of the things they have been making, such as paintings and crafts. They even showed him a drawing that they made of him and imposed on him a cardboard medallion with the word “hero” on it.
The Holy Father, for his part, wore on his right hand a colored bracelet with an image of Don Bosco, founder of the Salesian Family.
The summer center and Salesian oratory
The “Estate ragazzi” summer center takes place in the Aula Paulo VI, from July 3 to August 4, and gathers about 250 participants between children and adolescents from 5 to 13 years old.
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The person in charge of coordinating this work is Fr. Franco Fontana, director of the Salesian community that is inside the Vatican and chaplain of the Vatican Museums.
In an interview with the The Osservatore Romanothe priest pointed out that “the spirit of the initiative is that of the oratory [de Don Bosco], that is, not only the game, but also education. The synthesis of this is found at the entrance door to the swimming pools, where there is a sign: ‘Summer Boys’, but behind it it reads: ‘Summer Oratory'”.
This work is carried out for the fourth consecutive year and on this occasion it has as its theme “Bee Heroes” (“Bee Heroes”), with a play on words in English that invites boys to be heroes and learn from bees. “We want to build authentic fraternal relationships in the community,” Fr. Fontana specified.
Children are offered breakfast, lunch and a snack. Likewise, there are formative moments and spaces for play behind the Vatican Museums, where you can also find swimming pools and tennis courts.
Among the formators are three Salesians and two daughters of Mary Help of Christians. In addition, there are about 20 young people who participate as animators and who have previously lived the experience of the Salesian Summer Center in the Vatican.
According to the Salesian News Agency ANSA few days ago, the future Cardinal and Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, was also present among the boys.
Abel Camasca is a social communicator. He was for many years a producer for EWTN News and the program “More than News” on World Catholic Radio.
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