On the morning of 18 July, a group of children gifted colourful rubber bracelets depicting Saint John Bosco and Blessed Eusebia Palomino and the Vatican photographers captured it on the wrist of the Holy Father.
In Italy, since the 1960s, the use of rainbow colors has been popularized to promote peace in the world, especially in the face of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Sant’Egidio Community, very dear to the Pope, is one of the Catholic organizations that has taken this important symbol as part of its work, especially through its “El País del Arcoiris” campaign.
The Holy Father interrupted his holiday break and went to the Paul VI Hall to greet the children who are participating these days in the summer camp organized by the Vatican.
As reported by the Holy See, Pope Francis was able to talk with the young people and answer some of their questions.
The Pontiff encouraged them to be grateful to their parents, to value their grandparents — “the superheroes who raised a family and who have wisdom” — and also advised them to have a “healthy relationship with the digital world. ”
From this meeting, tender images were spread where you can see the smiling Pontiff enjoying time with the little ones.
Of all of them, one stands out above the rest: it is a bracelet worn by the Holy Father with the image of Saint John Bosco and Blessed Eusebia Palomino, a Spanish Salesian.
The children presented the Pope with these bracelets and a “medal” where you can see a drawing of the Pope next to the word “hero” written in Italian.
The camp, known as “Estate ragazzi” (Boys’ Summer), which offers workshops and training for young people, is a project led by Fr. Franco Fontana, priest director of the Salesian community within the Vatican and chaplain of the Vatican Gendarmerie.
The Summer Center takes place in the Paul VI Classroom, from July 3 to August 4, and brings together some 250 participants, including children and adolescents from 5 to 13 years of age.
Among the formators are three Salesians and two daughters of Mary Help of Christians. In addition, there are about 20 young people who participate as animators and who have previously lived the experience of the Salesian Summer Center in the Vatican.
For this reason, a medal of Saint John Bosco —founder of the Salesians and patron saint of youth— decorates the peculiar bracelet given to Pope Francis.
You can also appreciate the image of Eusebia Palomino, the Spanish pious who heard the voice of Mary Help of Christians, had visions and even predicted the Spanish Civil War.
This is not the first time that Pope Francis has been seen wearing a bracelet of these characteristics. During the Angelus on Sunday, July 9, we were able to appreciate a similar bracelet at the moment in which the Holy Father greeted the faithful who were listening to him from Saint Peter’s Square.
By then the camp had already started and perhaps, on the way to the Apostolic Palace, the Pope would have met one of the boys who spend the first days of this hot summer in the Vatican.