Vatican City, Aug 28, 2013 / 11:58 am
Pope Francis met today at Saint Peter's Basilica with around 500 youths from the central Italian diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio, who are currently on pilgrimage in Rome.
"This is a moment really of trepidation and joy, but also of deep faith, expressed through pure affection for the Pope," said the Bishop Gianni Ambrosio of Piacenza just before the encounter.
The pilgrimage, which is taking place during the Year of Faith, has included several different stages and "has its culminating moment here in the meeting with the Holy Father in St. Peter's Basilica," he added in an interview with Vatican Radio.
The pilgrims and their bishop travelled to Rome as part of the Church's Year of Faith initiative, with the theme "upon this rock."