MANILA (RVA News): The recently concluded 2023 World Youth Day held in Lisbon, Portugal, was “an experience that I will forever treasure with joy and gratitude; for all that has been done, thanks; for all that will be, yes,” said Elizabeth Carranza, one of several volunteer workers from the Philippines. Some 25,000 young people from 150 countries volunteered to serve the August 1 to 6 event.
“Pope Francis had a special meeting with us volunteers primarily to thank us for the work that we had all done for the WYD,” recalled Carranza, who works at environmental NGO, Laudato Si’ Movement Pilipinas.
Carranza, who comes from the province of Sorsogon on Luzon island, is the former chairperson of the Save Sierra Madre Network.
“I saw Pope Francis up close twice in 2015—in January, in the Philippines, and in September, in New York,” she recalled.
“I was in Lisbon to do the work entrusted to me as a volunteer, and giving my whole self to this work is my joy during this WYD, whether I saw Pope Francis again up close or not,” she added.
Participating in various activities at World Youth Day was one of the best moments for Carranza. “I will forever treasure these grace-filled moments in life,” she said.
Carranza was impressed with the thousands of pilgrims—young and old—from different parts of the world.
She was able to pray for her family and friends because she carried them in her heart. She was able to witness and encounter the whole world with her as the pilgrims welcomed Pope Francis and prayed with him.
“I am so grateful to the organisers and people in Portugal who cooperated with the pilgrims with love and care,” Carranza said.
