He has 3.7 million followers on TikTok, 1.1 million on Instagram and 750,000 subscribers to the Youtube channel: he is Gabriele Vagnato, the TikToker that Pope Francis invited to St. Peter’s Square as part of the “Follow me” event which raised 80,000 people and which took its name from the words of chapter 21 of the Gospel of John, with specific reference to the invitation addressed by Jesus to Peter, precisely “Follow me”.
The day, entirely dedicated to young people, with the presence of Ukrainian children – was organized by the National Youth Ministry Service of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and was the occasion, precisely on Easter Monday, for a new appeal by Pope Francis for peace in Ukraine: “Quarrels, wars, disputes give way to understanding, reconciliation. Always emphasize this word: reconciliation,” Francis told Regina Coeli, which in this liturgical period replaces the Angelus. “Let us renounce our human plans, let us convert to His designs of peace and justice”, remarked the Pontiff, again asking for God’s intercession in this very difficult moment.
Interview
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Rome, Blanco sings in St. Peter’s Square waiting for the Pope: images from social media
For these messages Pope Francis has called to the call the stars of the world of youth: singers of the new generations, such as Blanco, the young winner of the Sanremo Festival who has moved, to tears, some young girls. And, precisely the very popular Gabriele Vagnato, the TikToker who has gone from imitations to family lunches to entertain 80 thousand children in front of the Pope. The comedian who is popular on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram is the co-host with Andrea Delogu, presenting musical guests, Blanco and Matteo Romano.
Its success began about ten years ago: “As a good Calabro – explains Vagnato – we often had very crowded family tables. I stood up on the chair and imitated my uncles. Then laughing became almost a necessity, having lost my father since young: I avoided thinking about this and the classic problems of adolescence by making funny videos on YouTube. And in the meantime my mother was playing in the kitchen making a big mess and I was going to fight “. The mother believes in this career of her son and still does not believe: “She continues to send me links to public competition notices, such as the Municipality of Vimercate looking for an official. She says I should take advantage of the surveyor’s diploma. No university, I have to get my degree. who will want to use it. I have this job that is changing a lot: from much written texts now I am following the tastes of people, who want more and more improvisations and unexpected events, I love to make others uncomfortable and see what effect it has “. All this has been happening in Milan for the past three years: “I got there just before the first lockdown, maybe I brought the virus, I’m the patient minus one. I like the city despite things that are simply incomprehensible, such as Fashion Week or fitting. which is when the dress prepared for you is made to wear by a model who is a mannequin in flesh and blood. Then if you want to succeed in certain sectors you have to come here, period “.
Del Papa said: “Francesco is very nice, he often chooses humor, and a figure like this who laughs and jokes increases his authority by a lot”.
Certainly in the Vatican there was therefore a sort of mini WYD (World Youth Day), where people prayed but also listened to the words of the pope, especially on Ukraine: “Unfortunately – the Pope explained – the clouds are still thick. that darken our time. In addition to the pandemic, Europe is experiencing a terrible war, while injustices and violence continue in many regions of the Earth that destroy man and the planet. Often it is your peers who pay the highest price : not only is their existence compromised and made insecure, but their dreams for the future are trampled on “. A sad thought that invested the great party of Italian teenagers. As we said, 80 thousand were in St. Peter’s Square for the Pope. Many more than expected, they filled the square but also Via della Conciliazione, in a riot of songs and joy. These young people have been closed in their homes for two years due to the pandemic and now this day marks the rebirth.