Wyatt Olivas is 19 years old and studies at the University of Wyoming (United States). He asked Francisco to sign a “righteousness” to be exempt from university classes, to rest after four weeks of synodal work.
After four intensive weeks at the Synod, with 400 other people discussing, reflecting, voting, reading and listening, the idea of ​​immediately returning to university classes, also after at least a 13-hour flight to Rome-Denver, is an assumption that seems too tiresome. Too much for a young man full of energy like Wyatt Olivas, the American student who, at the age of 19, lowered the average age of the members of the Synod of synodality concluded by the Vatican.
Signed, “Francis”
The boy, a student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, missionary of the Totus Tuus Catholic youth program and catechist in his native diocese, Cheyenne, will leave on Monday, October 30 and should be in the University’s classrooms since Tuesday , On the other hand, it is three hours away by car with the risk of encountering snow on the road. Wyatt, between being serious and part, thought well of writing a kind of “righteousness” to explain to the teachers his need for a break to recover from work at the Vatican before starting classes again. Who signs it but the “president” of the entire assembly? The Pope, with a smile on his lips, readily agreed to put Francis’s signature in his small handwriting on the letter that Wyatt had presented to him during a vacation of the general congregations.
The letter that the young man wrote himself and submitted to the Pope reads: “Wyatt A. Olivas has been an important part of the Synod of Synodality, working diligently to contribute to this important event in the Church. His efforts are greatly appreciated. for the church community and we are grateful for his dedication and hard work. As a result of his tireless efforts, we believe Wyatt deserves a break from classes to recharge.”
“Wyatt – the letter says again – promised to return to class and complete his work, and we trust that he will keep his word. We are sure that, after this much-needed rest, he will return to his studies with renewed vigor and Therefore, we kindly request that you no longer attend classes for a short period of time.” Signed in blue pen, Francis.
Voice of the youth
The Pope smiled as he returned the letter to the young man, also a music intern at the Newman Center in St. “Really, you’re important,” he told her. Olivas thanked him for inviting him and thus giving a voice in the Synod also to that group of young people who – as he recalled in some interviews before the event in Rome – often felt somewhat isolated from in the dynamics and decisions of the Church.
The Synod was an exciting experience
This Synod, Wyatt said in a briefing on October 18 at the Vatican Press Office, gave him new hopes and perspectives: “It was a beautiful experience to hear and then listen to different experiences from all over world. I think it is “It’s amazing to have the opportunity to learn so many things: it’s beautiful and exciting to be here.” Beautiful, of course, but also challenging, so in any case it is it is necessary to plan a rest before the continuation of the university fatigue. In this case with the blessing, moreover, the “righteousness” of the Pope.
