VATICAN CITY (Zenit): Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging young people to prepare well for the World Youth Day to be held next July in Sydney.
The Pope concluded his general audience on July 4 with a special exhortation to young people, telling them that the youth gathering will be a spiritual renewal that will benefit all of society.
“One year from now we will meet at World Youth Day in Sydney!” the Holy Father said.
“I want to encourage you to prepare well for this marvellous celebration of the faith, which will be spent in the company of your bishops, priests, religious, youth leaders and one another.
“Enter fully into the life of your parishes and participate enthusiastically in diocesan events!
“In this way you will be equipped spiritually to experience new depths of understanding of all that we believe when we gather in Sydney next July.”
The Pontiff acknowledged that for many, the trip to Australia will be a long journey.
“Yet Australia and its people evoke images of a warm welcome and wondrous beauty, of an ancient Aboriginal history and a multitude of vibrant cities and communities,” he said.
Pope Benedict told the youth that the celebration is “much more than an event” – it is a time of “deep spiritual renewal”.
“Some of you have friends with little real purpose in their lives, perhaps caught up in a futile search for endless new experiences,” he said.
“Bring them to World Youth Day too!”
