Pope asks young people not to lose sight of 'question of God'

Published: 2007-04-02

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI asked young people not to let the question of God drift out of their lives. The pope opened Holy Week with a procession and liturgy in St. Peter's Square April 1, blessing palms and olive branches in memory of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem a few days before his death. Dressed in red and gold vestments, the pope carried a braided palm as he walked along the cobbled square at the head of a long line of cardinals, bishops and priests. The choir sang a "Hosanna," evoking the acclamation of the people of Jerusalem when Jesus arrived in the holy city. Some 50,000 people crowded into the sunlit square and applauded the pope, who turns 80 April 16. It was the start of the year's busiest period of papal liturgies. In his sermon, the pope said Palm Sunday poses an important question for Christians of all ages: "What does it mean, in concrete terms, to 'follow Christ?'"

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