At the General Audience the Pope relives the emotions World Youth Day in Madrid
A hope for the future
of the Church
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations!” (Mt 28:19) motto for the meeting in Rio de Janeiro 2013
“Rejoice in the Lord always”; “Go and make disciples of all nations”. These
are the themes chosen for the next two World Youth Days – the first taking place
on Palm Sunday 2012 in the individual dioceses and the second from 23 to 28 July
2013
in Rio de Janeiro – announced by the Pope this morning, Wednesday 24 August,
during the General Audience at Castel Gandolfo.
Still carrying in his mind and heart the “formidable experience of brotherhood and encounter with the Lord, of sharing and of growing in the faith” experienced in the first person by nearly 2 million young people from all over the world who participated in WYD Madrid - Benedict XVI wanted to immediately begin preparing for the next two “very important appointments”. Recalling those days in Madrid – which he looks at “as a great gift” - the Pope transmitted to the faithful, present in great numbers for the weekly audience, all the emotions excited by the enthusiasm with which the young people and Spain had received him and accompanied him throughout that “emotional ecclesial event”.
Benedict XVI did not fail to renew his thanks to and appreciation for “those who worked generously for this Day” beginning with Cardinal Rouco Varela and his auxiliaries and finishing with Spanish civil authorities. He sent a special “thank you” to the Royal Family of Spain for their “very warm welcome”.
The most vivid impression that he said would stay “with joy in his heart” is that they were able to inspire young people determined to bring to the world “the hope born of faith”.
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