Pope Francis is mobbed by adoring fans at a youth festival in Rome 

Tens of thousands of young people packed into Rome’s ancient Circus Maximus today, mobbing Pope Francis as they screamed with excitement, waved flags and threw hats into the air.

The Pontiff told the 70,000-strong crowd of Italian Catholic young people, who were attending a youth festival, to pursue their dreams, despite job market worries.

They were also advised to ignore adults who warned against certain professions, saying they were not in demand.

Pope Francis arrives to meet cheering Italian youths at the ancient Circus Maximus in Rome, Italy, on  August 11

Young Italians wait to meet Pope Francis. He told the Italian Catholic youths in Rome to pursue their dreams despite job market worries

Young Italians wait to meet Pope Francis. He told the Italian Catholic youths in Rome to pursue their dreams despite job market worries

Young Italians sing as they wait to meet Pope Francis at the event, which drew a massive crowd of 70,000 

Young Italians sing as they wait to meet Pope Francis at the event, which drew a massive crowd of 70,000 

Crowd-surfing: A man in a wheelchair is carefully carried over the heads of people gathered in Rome, Italy

Crowd-surfing: A man in a wheelchair is carefully carried over the heads of people gathered in Rome, Italy

With many walking for days to reach the rally, Francis answered questions submitted to him in advance. 

One university student told him a professor had discouraged her from pursuing her passion in art, saying that studying business instead would place her in a better position to get a job.

Decrying ‘dreams of convenience,’ the Pope urged them to take ‘risks on that street of your dreams.’ He declared that ‘fear brings pessimism.’ 

‘Your dreams are your responsibility and your treasure: let them be your future.

‘Dreams are important. They keep our eyes wide open, help us to embrace the horizon, to cultivate hope in every daily action, and the dreams of young people are the most important of all. They are the stars,’ the Pontiff added.

Tens of thousands of happy young people mobbed Pope Francis in Rome on August 11, as they screamed with excitement and waved flags

Tens of thousands of happy young people mobbed Pope Francis in Rome on August 11, as they screamed with excitement and waved flags

Waiting in the heat for the arrival of the Pontiff, thousands pack into Circus Maximus, the largest stadium in ancient Rome built for chariot races

Waiting in the heat for the arrival of the Pontiff, thousands pack into Circus Maximus, the largest stadium in ancient Rome built for chariot races

With many walking for days to reach the rally, Pope Francis answered questions submitted to him in advance of the festival

With many walking for days to reach the rally, Pope Francis answered questions submitted to him in advance of the festival

Snap-happy: The faithful take a selfie in Rome's Circus Maximus as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis to lead an evening prayer vigil with youths

Snap-happy: The faithful take a selfie in Rome’s Circus Maximus as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis to lead an evening prayer vigil with youths

Pope Francis arriving to meet enthusiastic Italian youth at the ancient Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) in Rome, Italy, on August 11

Pope Francis arriving to meet enthusiastic Italian youth at the ancient Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) in Rome, Italy, on August 11

‘Your dreams are your responsibility and your treasure: let them be your future,’ the Pontiff told those at the event

‘Your dreams are your responsibility and your treasure: let them be your future,’ the Pontiff told those at the event

Tens of thousands of young people filled Rome's ancient Circus Maximus on Saturday evening to hear Francis advise them to ignore adults who warn against certain professions

Tens of thousands of young people filled Rome’s ancient Circus Maximus on Saturday evening to hear Francis advise them to ignore adults who warn against certain professions

Sea of hands as Pope Francis leads a mammoth prayer vigil with the young people, who joined the pilgrimage to Rome

Sea of hands as Pope Francis leads a mammoth prayer vigil with the young people, who joined the pilgrimage to Rome

‘Dreams are important. They keep our eyes wide open, help us to embrace the horizon, to cultivate hope in every daily action, and the dreams of young people are the most important of all. They are the stars,' said Pope Francis

‘Dreams are important. They keep our eyes wide open, help us to embrace the horizon, to cultivate hope in every daily action, and the dreams of young people are the most important of all. They are the stars,’ said Pope Francis

 

 



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