Jubilee of Youth: Delegation of 43 Pilgrims Representing Cape Verde Selected on Basis of “pastoral commitment”

Deacon Vaz highlighted the age criterion of 18 – 35 years, and added, “Clergy, Deacons, and Priests have no age limit. It was also allowed that each Diocese bring 10 young organizers, even if they have passed the age of 30, so that they too can experience this faith journey.”

He added that each pilgrim to the Youth Jubilee “had to have the endorsement of their Parish Priest and show commitment to their Parish community.”

Asked about the costs of the trip, the Deacon confirmed that “usually the young people cover their expenses,” but that “many seek support from institutions such as the Ministry of Youth, Municipal Councils that have youth portfolios, and also from their Parishes.”

He clarified that “the secretariat issued statements for each registered young person, which they used to seek financial support, including from family and social institutions.”

“Once the young person pays, we organize all logistics: visa application, purchase of tickets, accommodation, food, and participation in activities,” Deacon Vaz said.

The goal, according to him, “is to ensure a complete, safe, and spiritually rich experience for all.”

The Deacon confirmed the participation of young Cape Verdeans in diaspora, particularly in Europe. “We count on youth from the diaspora,” he said, adding that many are to “travel with delegations from the countries where they reside, such as Portugal or France, then join us in the Jubilee activities.”

On some youths deciding to remain in Europe after the Jubilee, Deacon Vaz said, “As I always say, people are free to move around the world. What we guarantee is that these young people go to Rome to participate in the Jubilee. The goal is to live this spiritual experience.”

He added, “Trust is the foundation of our process. That’s why young people are nominated by Parish Priests. If there are doubts about the seriousness or intention of a young person, we ask them not to register. This has happened before, and we were clear with those cases.”

“We will not be watching young people with 10 or 15 eyes during the event. They will have freedom because we trust them. They are connected to youth ministry, trustworthy people,” the Youth Chaplain emphasized.

He noted that “more than any control mechanism, it is the conscience of each one that will guarantee their return. The Jubilee is a mission, not a means of escape.”

Asked about the contribution of the Cape Verdeans to the Jubilee of Youth celebrations at the Vatican, Deacon Vaz said, “What we will bring is precisely this lived faith, which is powerful in Cape Verde.”

“We will go with our faith, our music, dances, our flag, and our national pride. The young people will have moments of cultural sharing during the Jubilee, showing what it means to be a Cape Verdean youth, demonstrating the strength of our spirituality and hope,” Deacon Vaz said.

The Cape Verdean delegation was scheduled to travel in two groups: one group of 12 was set to leave on July 27, and the others on July 28. The return date is set for August 8.

The four days after the official end of the Youth Jubilee, Deacon Vaz said, is to give the pilgrims an opportunity “to visit the Basilicas, local churches, and especially the Church where the relic of Saint James the Less, patron of our Diocese, is located.”

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Accommodation will be split between a sports complex and a pre-booked hotel.

“Most activities will take place at the Secretariat Center in Tor Vergata, where the Vigil and Mass with the Holy Father will be held,” Deacon Vaz told ACI Africa during the July 26 interview.

He went on to underscores the importance of the Jubilee for Cape Verdean youths, saying, “It is extremely important for our young people because we will be in a very strong faith environment, together with young people from all over the world. It will be a unique experience. Many will be going to Rome for the first time, will see the Vatican, the history of the Universal Church, and be with the Pope. This is transformative.”

“The enthusiasm is great among the young people; their hearts are beating fast, everyone is excited. This experience will mark their lives. And when they return, they will share what they experienced and help renew our youth ministry. We believe in that,” the Cape Verdean Deacon said.

“That’s why we are pilgrims of hope, because our country has always been a country of hope. And we will live this hope with all our love and care, together with the Universal Church.” said the Diocesan Youth Chaplain of the Diocese of Santiago of Cape Verde.

Several key activities for the youth jubilee have been confirmed with the official welcome Holy Mass scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, at 6:00 p.m. (local time) in St. Peter’s Square.

Throughout the week numerous spiritual, artistic and cultural activities have been lined up in Rome under the title, “Dialogues with the City” with August 1 as a Penitential Day, to be held in the Circus Maximus.

Pope Leo XIV is to preside over the concluding Eucharistic Celebration and bid farewell to the young pilgrims on Sunday, August 3.