Antonio Villuendas, a student of the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra who is hearing impaired, pronounced a speech during the Pope's visit to the Foundation high school San José. The meeting took place as part of the events planned for the workshop World Youth Day, which was held in Madrid from August 18 to 21.

Antonio Villuendas explained that, although he was born with "a problem that seemed insurmountable to everyone," the fact of facing obstacles like his helped him "to be better and overcome them.

"Mom has always told me that if I were not deaf, I would not be the way I am," he recounted, while assuring that he felt integrated "by the friendship of companions and relatives." Finally, he thanked the Holy Father "for being so close" and because "his presence shows us the path to follow; and this is Jesus Christ, a friend who supports you along the way".

During the event, Benedict XVI defended the dignity of "every life" before the more than 400 people who welcomed him, including young people with disabilities, family members and caregivers. The Pope stressed that today's society, "in which the inestimable dignity of life, of every life, is too often called into question," needs people with disabilities: "You contribute decisively to building the civilization of love.

For his part, the Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, Antonio María Rouco Varela, highlighted the work of high school Fundación San José in the context of "a society deeply wounded by the crises of marriage and families, of which children and young people are the main victims, especially when they are in situations of illness, disability and physical and psychological withdrawal ".

- News on Antena 3 Television