The Catholic Church saw a million plus come to World Youth Day in Portugal. Pope Francis was there. So was electro pop duo OOBERFUSE. Tony Cummings reports.

Ooberfuse

Long-time listeners to Cross Rhythms will be familiar with London's electronic pop duo Ooberfuse. Down the years such radio hits as "Still Love My Enemies", "On The Wall", "Fall" and "Come To Me" have shown them to be masters of merging militant messages of faith and action with danceable rhythms. Described as "Pope Francis' favourite electro pop band," Hal St John and Cherrie Anderson in August performed at the Catholic Church's World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal.

At a concert on Lisbon's central square Terreiro do Paco the duo concluded their 30-minute set with an appeal to shamelessly live your dream to shine your light into the darkest parts of this world. Hal rapped, "They can make you scream and try and kill your dream, they can make you shout but please don't ever let it out, you were made with wings and tears can only sting, you were made to fly to where the dream will never die." The audience reaction was incredible as he concluded, "And if it hurts too much, look deep inside your heart, a light is shining bright and it will chase away the dark."

They reported, "After the show a German pilgrim came up to us and said he was inspired and encouraged, and that we should continue being a light wherever we go."

One thing that particularly struck us was the joy and enthusiasm of all the volunteers who helped us throughout all our shows and concerts (pictures with some volunteers attached). Their service was very inspiring.

In the closing mass on Sunday 6th August Pope Francis shared the same themes as Ooberfuse's music. In his sermon on the Feast of the Assumption he said, "What will we take back with us as we resume our daily lives?. I would respond with these three words: to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid."