Pope Francis has traveled to a major Italian pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary to sign a new document dedicated to today's youth.
Francis celebrated Mass on Monday in Loreto's cathedral and then signed the document in private. It will be translated and released in the coming weeks or months, providing Francis' take on the October 2018 meeting of the world's bishops on ways to better minister to today's young people.
Click to Gallery
Pope Francis has traveled to a major Italian pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary to sign a new document dedicated to today's youth.
The pope said Monday he chose Loreto, which claims to be the site of Mary's home, to sign his document because it is the "house of the youth."
Pope Francis prays inside the shrine containing a small house traditionally venerated as the house of Mary, and believed miraculously transplanted from the Holy Land inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto, in central Italy, where Francis is paying a one-day visit, Monday, Mar. 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)
Faithful wait for Pope Francis to arrive at the Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in central Italy for a one-day visit, Monday, March 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)
Faithful wait for Pope Francis to arrive at the Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in central Italy for a one-day visit, Monday, March 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)
Pope Francis prays inside the shrine containing a small house traditionally venerated as the house of Mary, and believed miraculously transplanted from the Holy Land inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto, in central Italy, where Francis is paying a one-day visit, Monday, Mar. 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)
The meeting was dominated by discussion about ways to better welcome gays into the church, give women a greater say in decision-making, and manage the sex abuse scandal.
Pope Francis speaks to the faithful gathered outside the Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto where, during a one-day visit, he celebrated mass and prayed in the shrine containing a small house traditionally venerated as the house of Mary, and believed miraculously transplanted from the Holy Land inside the Basilica, in central Italy, Monday, Mar. 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)
The pope said Monday he chose Loreto, which claims to be the site of Mary's home, to sign his document because it is the "house of the youth."
Faithful wait in Piazza della Madonna Square for Pope Francis to arrive at the Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in central Italy for a one-day visit, Monday, March 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoSandro Perozzi)
Pope Francis prays inside the shrine containing a small house traditionally venerated as the house of Mary, and believed miraculously transplanted from the Holy Land inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto, in central Italy, where Francis is paying a one-day visit, Monday, Mar. 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)
Faithful wait for Pope Francis to arrive at the Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in central Italy for a one-day visit, Monday, March 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)
Faithful wait for Pope Francis to arrive at the Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in central Italy for a one-day visit, Monday, March 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)
Pope Francis prays inside the shrine containing a small house traditionally venerated as the house of Mary, and believed miraculously transplanted from the Holy Land inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto, in central Italy, where Francis is paying a one-day visit, Monday, Mar. 25, 2019. The pope chose Loreto to sign the Post-Synodal Exhortation of last October's Synod of Bishops. (AP PhotoDomenico Stinellis)