The Bishop said that today he saw his dream of freeing these children, who instead of playing with toys were accustomed to real rifles, was closer than ever, since a group of them had come to Rome to meet the Pope. When the Pontiff appeared there was an explosion of excitement. The children had white caps, which they waved vigorously. The human river of children not only filled St. Peter's Square, but overflowed into the adjacent Via della Conciliazione. Because of the Jubilee, we the children and youth commit ourselves to give our help so that the new millennium will be better, more beautiful and more just for all.
Children are the future of society.
Along with the children was the entire soccer team of Rome, led by Fabio Capello, the trainer. This team, which is doing very well this season, paid the fare of many children from poor countries to be able to come to the Eternal City. The celebration continued in the afternoon with a music festival in which children's groups from all over the world performed. They are in Rome representing the hundreds of child soldiers that the Church has freed in that country, which has been lacerated by one of the longest armed conflicts in Africa. The Vatican Jubilee Committee has joined forces with Bishop Sergio Biguzzi of Makeni, who is determined to buy the freedom of the young recruits.