How would friends describe you?
My friends describe me as reliable, persistent and somewhat reserved. But once I’ve found my niche in a group, or got to know someone better, I blossom.
How would you describe yourself?
I am very curious, orderly and calm. I also like to meet new people. I also find other cultures very interesting. It was one of the reasons why I chose my education and why I wanted to go to the World Youth Days.
Believing is…
I believe that everyone is constantly growing in faith throughout their lives. At least that’s how it is with me. New ideas and insights are constantly being formed. By talking to people who are also involved in this, who have questions and are looking for answers, those ideas develop at a record pace. That’s why those encounters with others are so important to me.
So to me, believing is developing yourself. Not alone, but in dialogue.
What is your life motto?
I don’t really have one motto in life, but in classical Chinese lessons I learned the expression: Within the four seas we are all brothers (四海之内皆兄弟). So we are all human, no one is better than the other. Everybody makes mistakes.
Respect each other and love each other.
A message that is also central to Christianity. The expression is a good example of itself: on the other side of the world people also strive for love and connection. Nice is not it?
What events in your life have had a major impact?
After the first secondary school I changed schools to choose a new field of study. From the small village of Aalter I suddenly ended up in the big city of Bruges. I met some of my best friends there and discovered the city. Every year I discovered a new hobby and new people. The choice to change schools is still the best of my life. It also taught me that jumping into the unknown gives you the best that life has to offer.
Which people inspire you?
Many people have an idol, but not me. I see every human being as a package of good and bad qualities. I am inspired by people who excel in their own talents. Often people do something so beautiful in their own way that I admire them for it. That makes everyone a bit like my idol.
Why are you going to World Youth Day? What do you expect? What are you looking forward to in particular?
One of the reasons why I come to World Youth Day is because I like to meet new people. After all, one and a half million young people from all over the world come together there.
I don’t want to miss such a mass of energy and diversity.
I also hope to learn more about myself, the other person and the world. I especially look forward to eating together, walking together, chatting together…
How do you view the Pope?
I find the Pope an interesting figure in many ways. He is the leader of an ancient institution that inspires millions of people. It therefore has an important function on the world stage. He constantly has to weigh up the balance between maintaining traditions and implementing innovations.
With Pope Francis, I have the feeling that he is very eager to implement many innovations, but is sometimes still held back.
After all, there are still many points on which criticism can be expressed. But decisions in the Vatican are not made by the pope alone. I think the Pope really wants to keep up with the times. And that is only positive.
2023-07-17 23:06:39
#World #Youth #Days #Kyrill #Aalter
