Pope urges megagathering of youths to 'go against the current'

Published: 2007-09-04

LORETO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged a megagathering of Italian young people to embrace Christ and "go against the current" of a culture marked by violence, arrogance and selfishness. The pope also struck a strong ecological theme, saying young people need to press for courageous changes to save the planet "before it's too late." An estimated 500,000 youths applauded the pope's words at a prayer vigil Sept. 1 and at a Mass the following day, on a hillside next to the Marian shrine of Loreto. The weekend assembly also featured music and skits, but the highlight was clearly the pope's presence. "The (Christian) message is this: Do not follow the way of pride but the way of humility," the pope said at the Mass. "Go against the current: Don't listen to the persuasive and self-seeking voices that today promote lifestyles marked by arrogance and violence, by self-importance and success at any cost, by appearances and possession to the detriment of being," he said.

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