LORENZAGO DI CADORE, Italy, JULY 15, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI offered youth a spiritual roadmap to prepare themselves for World Youth Day, encouraging them to meditate on the love awakened by the Holy Spirit.
The Pope told young people this today before praying the midday Angelus from Mirabello Castle, a spot close to where he is vacationing till July 27.
Love "is the 'heart' of Christian life; in fact, only the love awakened in us by the Holy Spirit renders us witnesses to Christ," the Holy Father said. "I wanted to re-propose this important spiritual truth in the message for the 23rd World Youth Day, which will be made known next Friday, July 20: 'You will receive power from the Holy Spirit, who will descend upon you.'"
World Youth Day is exactly one year away. It will be held July 15-20, 2008, in Sydney, Australia.
"This is what I invite you to reflect on in the next months, dear young people, to prepare for our big meeting in Sydney, Australia, that, precisely in these days of July, will take place one year from now," the Pontiff told the youth gathered for the Angelus. "The Christian communities of that beloved nation are actively working to welcome you and I am grateful to them for their efforts in organizing.
"Let us entrust to Mary, who tomorrow we will invoke as the Virgin of Mount Carmel, the preparation and unfolding of the next meeting with the young people of the whole world, to which I invite you, dear friends of every continent."
ZE07071508 - 2007-07-15