World News
On anniversary of Blessed John Paul's death, Vatican focuses on WYD
Published: April 2, 2012
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On the seventh anniversary of the death of Blessed John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI paid homage to one of his predecessor's innovations: World Youth Day. Greeting an estimated 5,000 cheering young people from Spain April 2, Pope Benedict said they were "the protagonists and principal recipients of this pastoral initiative promoted vigorously by my beloved predecessor, Blessed John Paul II, whose passage to heaven we remember today." The Spanish youths had come to the Vatican for the celebration of Palm Sunday April 1 and to thank the pope for visiting Madrid for World Youth Day last August. The Spanish delegation included the World Youth Day orchestra, which played during the papal audience. While the pope was with the young people, Vatican officials and representatives of the Brazilian bishops' conference were holding a news conference to talk about plans for the next international celebration of World Youth Day, which will be held July 23-28, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro. Pope Benedict told the Spanish youths that the World Youth Day experience "can only be understood in the light of the presence the Holy Spirit in the church," who continues to enliven the church and to push believers "to bear witness to the wonders of God." He told the young people, "You are called to cooperate in this exciting task, and it's worth it to commit yourself to it without reservation. Christ needs you to expand and build his kingdom of charity."
Copyright (c) Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .
