Indian university students: Meeting Pope Francis, a moment of grace and holiness
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "A moment of grace, which has given us joy for life and holiness." These the words of Kevin de Souza, head of an Indian delegation present in Rome at the first general audience of Pope Francis, who spoke to AsiaNews about meeting with the Holy Father, in St Peter's Square as he greeted the faithful present.
The group consisted of 14 young people from Mumbai, Delhi and Orissa and was in Rome to attend the 46th UNIV Congress, a university meeting that gives an opportunity to thousands of students to spend Holy Week in the Eternal City every year and was born in 1968 on the initiative of Saint Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei.
During the general audience, on March 27, Pope Francis greeted the more than 3 thousand UNIV students present, thanking them "for their prayer and affection" and inviting them to achieve in their university life, all that Escrivá advocated: "It is in the midst of the most material things of the earth that we must sanctify ourselves, serving God and all men. "
At the end of the audience, the Holy Father toured the square to greet those present. Of the Indian delegation, four young men were able to shake his hand. "I was speechless - Dwayne Rebello, 18, tells AsiaNews - I could only stare and smile, and thank God for that moment." "I did not expect it - Sheldon Noronha, another young man who was present reveals - when he came to greet UNIV students. Instead he went on to greet everyone he could reach. I just shook his hand, but it was enough. I love the Pope! ".
For Kevin too (pictured, with the orange kurta, ed) it was an intensely emotional moment: "I kissed his ring and I told him that we all really hope he will visit India. Then, I asked him if could bless our national flag: in his characteristic way, the pope smiled and made the sign of the cross, blessing it. It was as if he was giving his blessing to all university students in India. "
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