Reviving a "walk", once widely common for pilgrims bound for Rome, which now deserves to be rediscovered in its great spiritual and ecclesial meaning. This is the invitation the bishops of the dioceses located along the Via Francigena make to the youth on the occasion of the pilgrimage "Ad limina Petri" (19 May – 30 June), promoted by the National Service for the Youth Pastoral of CEI in cooperation with other departments and presented in Rome today. "Everyone’s life and experience of faith write the bishops must be felt and experienced like a pilgrimage, a walk towards a destination. This interpretation also comes from the biblical tradition, starting from the experience of Abraham, a father and pilgrim in faith". The idea of walking along the Via Francigena, 816 kilometres from Susa to Rome, "deserves attention because such experiences can raise one’s awareness and establish once and for all the fundamental principles of one’s life of faith. We, bishops of the dioceses that will be involved in the pilgrimage, wish many of you, dear boys and girls, will accept the invitation to participate in this experience of faith, which has been designed just to respond to what the most reflective boys and girls have most at heart today: meeting other boys and girls, exchange ideas and experiences of faith and above all experiencing "powerful" encounters with many local churches that can open new rays of light, which can lead us to see, understand, meet and follow Our Lord Jesus Christ. The many boys and girls that will set out on this walk can then give their contribution, so that the subject of the next meeting of Verona, “Witnesses of Christ Resurrected, hope of the world", may bring enthusiasm and commitment in all of the Church of Italy".
