Todos, Todos, Todos: Pope Francis's Powerful Message of Inclusion

On a warm August evening in Lisbon's Eduardo VII Park, a remarkable scene unfolded as Pope Francis addressed an ocean of young people at World Youth Day 2023. Before him stood nearly half a million participants, their national flags dancing in the breeze, creating a vibrant tapestry of global unity.

"You are not here by mistake," the Pope declared to the energetic crowd, his words resonating across the park as young people sang, shouted, and swayed in response. This simple yet profound statement set the tone for what would become one of the most memorable moments of the gathering.
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In a particularly moving departure from his prepared remarks, Pope Francis led the crowd in a spontaneous chant that would capture headlines worldwide. "Todos, todos, todos," he called out, using both Spanish and Portuguese, with the English translation "Everyone, everyone, everyone!" echoing through the masses. The crowd's response was electric, as hundreds of thousands of voices joined in this powerful affirmation of inclusivity.

The Pope's message was crystal clear: the church is meant to be a home for all. "In the church, there is space for everyone," he emphasized, "and when there isn't, please, let's work so that there is." His words extended particularly to those who might feel marginalized or excluded – those who make mistakes, those who fall, those who struggle.

Later, reflecting on this powerful moment, Pope Francis drew a parallel to the Gospel's parable of the wedding feast, where the king, finding his invited guests absent, instructs his servants to welcome everyone from the streets, "good and bad alike." This reference beautifully reinforced his message of radical inclusion.
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The Pope's declaration of "todos, todos, todos" wasn't just a catchphrase – it was a powerful reminder of the church's fundamental mission to be, in his words, "the mother of all." In that moment in Lisbon, as hundreds of thousands of young people from every corner of the world joined their voices together, his vision of a truly inclusive church seemed not just possible, but already coming to life.