Pope writes homily for Jubilee of Volunteers: “Your dedication instils hope in all of society”

The Jubilee of the World of Volunteering ended yesterday, Sunday 9 March, with a Mass in St Peter’s Square presided over by Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with over 35,000 pilgrims taking part. In the square many groups were recognizable by their colorful uniforms, such as the thousands of volunteers from the Misericordie, the Red Cross, Civil Protection and Caritas.

“I am happy to greet all the volunteers who are present in Rome today for their Jubilee pilgrimage,” said the Cardinal, reading the Mass homily prepared for the event by Pope Francis. “I thank you very much, dear friends, because following the example of Jesus you serve your neighbor without using your neighbor. On the streets and in people’s houses, with the sick, the suffering, those in prison, with the young and the elderly, your dedication instils hope in all of society. In the deserts of poverty and loneliness, little gestures of freely-given service make the shoots of a new humanity flourish - that garden that God dreamed of and continues to dream of for all of us".

The events marking the Jubilee of Volunteers, which attracted pilgrims to Rome from many associations, organizations, non-profit organizations and federations from over 100 countries around the world, began on Saturday 8 March, with a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s. Throughout the day, an almost uninterrupted flow of pilgrims walked up Via della Conciliazione in prayer towards the Basilica.

In the afternoon, pilgrims and tourists had the opportunity to learn about the various examples of volunteering present at the Jubilee by visiting the displays in eight piazzas in Rome city center entitled "Dialogues with the city". To raise awareness of their activities and to provide entertainment for children and adults, associations such as Focsiv, Misericordie, Protezione Civile, Movimento per la Vita, CSV Lazio, Shelterbox Italia Onlus, Aps Il Sorriso, Iad Bambini Ancora, took part.