Per the findings of an international study, 96% of young people (over 18 years of age) who are participating in World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal, believe that these gatherings play a crucial role in promoting faith in Jesus. Likewise, an overwhelming percentage of participants (96%), believe that WYD helps rejuvenate young people’s commitment, and 95% think it effectively amplifies the Church’s message across the globe. The motivations for attending this international event with the Pope are primarily centered around encountering Jesus Christ, with 94% of respondents citing this as a significant reason. Additionally, 92% of participants expressed their desire to live new experiences through WYD. For 89% of the attendees, it is a decisive factor to actively propagate the message of Christ, and being present at an event with Pope Francis is also considered highly important.
National Catholic Register reports:
According to an international survey, 96% of young people over the age of 18 who are attending World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal, think these gatherings contribute a lot or quite a bit “to spreading faith in Jesus Christ.”
To the same extent, the participants think that the different WYDs help “reinforce the commitment of young people” (96%) and “make the Church’s message resound throughout the world” (95%).
Among the motivations for attending the international meeting with the pope is “encountering Jesus Christ” (94%) followed by “living new experiences” (92%). For 89% it’s a decisive factor to help “spread the message of Jesus Christ” and “to be at an event with Pope Francis.”
To a lesser extent, young people are coming to Lisbon to get to know different cultures, new people, be with like-minded people, or establish a dialogue with young people of different religions.
For the most part, WYD pilgrims consider that their Christian faith is a positive factor for maturing and being a better person, building a better world, showing solidarity, understanding others, and living a happy life.
According to the study, almost two-thirds of attendees are women (62%) and 4 out of 10 are between 18 and 25 years old, while almost a third are over 35. Eighty-two percent have higher education, 6 out of 10 have a job, and just over a third are students.
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