Hundreds of teenagers and children gathered at Chiesa Nuova, the church of Saint Philip Neri—patron of youth and joy— with one united purpose: to pray for peace. 

Their voices rose from quiet prayer to joyful chants as they took to the streets, declaring:  
"Peace now!" and "The only bombs we want are those filled with chocolate!" 

The event, organized by Azione Cattolica (Catholic Action) of Rome, marks the start of a year-long journey of faith for young people prepared by the Church. 

Alessio Maurizi is the Director for Youth at Azione Cattolica Italiana in Rome. He noted, “The peace caravan is an event that is lived not only on this day, but we in all the parishes of Rome, we have been preparing for a month.” 

As preparations for the Jubilee of Teenagers intensify, local families are opening their homes to host the visiting pilgrims who will come for the events. 

The peace caravan made its way through Rome’s iconic landmarks, crossing Ponte Sant’Angelo en route to St. Peter’s Square. But the journey wasn’t without challenges. 

Symbolizing the struggles for peace, the young participants ran through obstacles, a reminder that peace must be earned. 

Upon reaching St. Peter’s, the celebration continued with an open-air concert under Pope Francis’s office window, filling the Vatican with music, young voices, and shouts of joy. 

Scouts in St. Peter’s Square exhorted: “Be committed every day to keeping peace even with the people closest to you, so that it can then spread throughout the world.” 

With cheers of “Pace, pace” coming from another scout, meaning ‘peace, peace.’ 

The highlight of the day—two children popped up at the window of the Apostolic Palace, delivering a message of peace together with Pope Francis. 

One of the boys shared, “This morning in the square, together, we, the boys and girls of Azione Cattolica, strongly made our desire for peace. How beautiful would it be if the greats of the world also passed through the Holy Door hand in hand? It is a dream, yes, but we believe in it so much. 

Pope Francis noted, “Now, he said a very beautiful word....” 

And the other boy chimed in, “So that they might silence their weapons.” 

And this is just the beginning. In the coming days, the Vatican will host its first-ever Children's Rights Conference, and during the Special Jubilee for Teens at the end of April the Pope will canonize the first Millennial Saint Carlo Acutis, and we will celebrate the Jubilee for Young people at the end of July. 

Adapted by Jacob Stein 

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