By Anne Hodgkinson
POPE John Paul II has been described by many as the Pilgrim Pope, a man who has travelled to every corner of the globe, spreading his love, good will and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In this way, he has developed a special link with the young people of the world.
From its humble beginnings in 1984, World Youth Day has flourished into an event capturing the hearts and minds of millions of young people.
As a testament to the power of Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day 2000 in Rome was the biggest pilgrimage event ever seen in the Italian city.
More than 2 million young people descended on the city in the weeks surrounding August 15-20.
The Pope chatted, hugged, cheered and cried with the youth of the world in this moving event global event.
He asked the young people to persevere in their faithfulness to Christ and said they were ‘called to go against the tide … in the circumstances of everyday life’.
‘In the year 2000,’ he asked, ‘is it hard to believe? Yes, it is hard. There is no need to hide it,’ he said.
Pope John Paul II said he left World Youth Day ‘rejuvenated’.
He covered various topics from drug abuse to premarital sex to ‘living in a world where the only things that seem to matter are the logic of profit’.
‘You will not resign yourself to a world where other human beings die of hunger, remain illiterate and have no work. You will defend life at every moment of its development.’
My brother, Liam, was lucky enough to attend the World Youth Day celebrations in 2000, and in 2001 it was my turn to visit the Holy City.
I arrived in Rome on August 20, exactly a year after the big event and halfway through my European backpacking trip.
I could sympathise with the pilgrims and their battle against the heat in 2000, because although it wasn’t over 40 degrees Celsius, it was still very warm.
I knew Rome would be one of the highlights of my trip because I had planned to attend the Pope’s regular Wednesday audience session.
I picked up my tickets in one of the Vatican offices the day before and kept it safe overnight.
The next day I was joined by Mandy, another Australian girl who I had met two days before. Mandy had been baptised a Catholic but had never practised her faith.
We planned to arrive at St Peter’s early but still found at least 1000 people in line. Due to the heat the audience was to be held in the great Papal Audience Hall next to St Peter’s Basilica.
We entered to the jovial sounds of an Austrian brass band and brightly dressed Taiwanese girls dancing with fans.
It was an amazing spectacle and in no time the 6000-strong crowd tensed and the man himself entered the hall.
The hall erupted with cheers, music and clapping. They were all there to see Pope John Paul II.
Tears instantly sprang to my eyes as I watched him climb the stairs to the stage completely unaided, using only his cane for support.
Having been a Catholic my whole life, this was the ultimate experience.
The atmosphere was electric as the Pope addressed each of the various groups in the audience in their own language.
When the turn came for the English speech, you could have heard a pin drop.
The Pope spoke about personal forgiveness and living a full life with God.
It was over too soon and Mandy and I left chatting animatedly and glowing after our experience.
Looking back, I realised this man was able to reach into the hearts of every person in the audience and relate to each one on their level.
His manner and humble attitude is what endears him to the youth of the world. I will be proud to tell my children about this great man one day.
