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POPE
ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE
TO PREPARE FOR WYD
VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2007
(VIS) - At the end of today's general audience, the Pope
addressed young people who are currently preparing for the next
World Youth Day (WYD), due to be held in July 2008 in Sydney,
Australia.
Speaking English, the Holy
Father encouraged the young people "to prepare well for this
marvelous celebration of the faith. ... Enter fully into the
life of your parishes and participate enthusiastically in
diocesan events! In this way you will be equipped spiritually to
experience new depths of understanding of all that we believe
when we gather in Sydney next July."
"I know that already the
ecclesial and government authorities, together with numerous
young Australians, are working very hard to ensure an
exceptional experience for us all. I offer them my heartfelt
thanks.
"World Youth Day is
much more than an event," Pope Benedict added. "It is a time of
deep spiritual renewal, the fruits of which benefit the whole of
society."
"Some of you have friends
with little real purpose in their lives, perhaps caught up in a
futile search for endless new experiences. Bring them to World
Youth Day too! In fact, I have noticed that against the tide of
secularism many young people are rediscovering the satisfying
quest for authentic beauty, goodness and truth. Through your
witness you help them in their search for the Spirit of God."
The
Holy Father concluded: "Be courageous
in that witness! Strive to spread Christ's guiding light, which
gives purpose to all life, making lasting joy and happiness
possible for everyone."
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