During a Friday morning meeting with young members of the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Pope Francis reflected on the concept of pilgrimage, encouraging them to embrace a life of constant movement and purpose.

Drawing from the theme of the upcoming 2025 Jubilee Year, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, the Pope emphasized that pilgrimage is inherently about walking forward with intention. “I encourage you to always keep moving, to never remain still,” he urged.

He highlighted that a pilgrim’s journey is not just about the act of walking but also about having a meaningful destination. For the Jubilee Year, that destination is the Holy Door, a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ, the path to salvation and new life.

Pope Francis encouraged the group to not only stay active but to become true pilgrims—those who eagerly seek to encounter Jesus, know Him deeply, and live by His Word.

Concluding his remarks, the Pope offered examples of inspirational figures like Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, who embodied the spirit of hope and walked with the Lord.

“These individuals were true ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’” he said, “young people who met Jesus and journeyed with Him. Let us follow their example so that we, too, can become beacons of hope for others along the way.”