On World Children’s Day in Rome, the Pope received a group at the Vatican that traveled from war-torn countries such as Ukraine and Palestine.  

Some of them lost their legs or arms during the conflict, and others lost their parents. The children fondly remembered the words of the pontiff, expressing that ” he is kind” and that “the Pope is like a friend.”  

After the meeting, Pope Francis visited the Roman Olympic Stadium, where 50,000 children were waiting for him. Delegations dressed in traditional costumes from each country inaugurated the event. It was a very musical occasion.  

Pope Francis spoke about his meeting with children who suffered the consequences of war and made a call for peace: “Today I received children who have fled from Ukraine, who suffer greatly because of the wars. Some of them were injured. Is war a beautiful thing?””  

The children responded: “No!”  

The pontiff wanted the children to speak as well. Luis Gabriel from Nicaragua asked him: “Why do some people have neither a home nor a job?”  

“So many people, so many countries,” the Pope responded, “spend money on buying weapons to destroy while there are people who have nothing to eat. Boys and girls, think about this. Some children don’t have food, and there are people who don’t have jobs, and this is humanity’s fault. I ask you a favor: every day, when you say your prayers, pray for the children who suffer from this injustice. Today, Luis Gabriel has touched our hearts.”  

This celebration’s theme was a Bible passage: “I make all things new.” With this, the Pope wanted to invite the faithful to be like children who see life with eyes full of wonder.  

The celebration continued on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square during the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. “And we pray to God,” the Pope explained during the Holy Mass, “God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. How many ”gods” are there? One in three persons.”  

The Pope continued, “Faith makes you happy. And we believe in God who is, all together, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All together: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.”  

During this meeting, the Pope announced that the next World Children’s Day will be celebrated in September 2026.  

We are reminded of the Pope’s words in the Angelus Address on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception last year, where he said, “Like Jesus, we want to put children at the center and care for them.”  

World Children’s Day is organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education and seeks to answer the question: “What kind of world do we wish to pass on to the children who are growing up?” The event was inspired by a 9-year-old boy named Alessandro, who proposed an international event like World Youth Day for younger children to the Pope. The initiative aims to place the condition of children at the center, offering a space for reflection on their future and the world we intend to deliver to them.  

The day included two distinct moments of celebration and prayer. The Holy Father was present for both initiatives, which took place in the Olympic Stadium and St. Peter’s Square.  

The event brought thousands of girls and boys from the ages of 5 to 12 from all over the world to Rome for two days of prayer, reflection, and celebration. The goal was to celebrate boys and girls and reflect on the education and care of the youngest to build their tomorrow together.  

Adapted by Jacob Stein