Pope, youths celebrate 20th anniversary of World Youth Day cross

Published: 2004-04-02

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Twenty years after he entrusted the holy year cross to young people, Pope John Paul II joined thousands of youths to reminisce and celebrate its impact on a whole generation across the globe. St. Peter's Square turned into a fluttering sea of colors April 1 as more than 20,000 young people -- mostly from Rome and hundreds from around the world -- waved red, yellow, green, blue and white bandanas and their nation's flags in the cool spring breeze. "Twenty years ago, at the end of the end of the Holy Year of the Redemption, I entrusted young people with the cross," which "announces the merciful love of God," Pope John Paul said in his address. The cross travels around the world from one World Youth Day to another, the pope noted.

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