LETTER TO ENVOY FOR YOUTH MEETING AT SANTIAGO

VATICAN CITY, JUL 29, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from the Pope to Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, naming him as papal legate at the solemn closing celebration of the European Youth Meeting, which will be held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, from August 4 to 8.

In the Letter, written in Latin and dated July 4, John Paul II writes that the young people who will take part in this meeting "intend to construct - with drive, generosity and without vacillation - a more just and peaceful world, one in which the principles of rectitude and honesty can triumph.

"Consequently, it is with pleasure that we satisfy the request of our brother bishops in Spain, who have expressed their desire to be joined by our distinguished representative in order to augment the significance and solemnity of the event. Our thoughts turned to you, our esteemed brother whom, we feel, can fulfill this assignment in the best possible way. Not least, because you have demonstrated that you know how to communicate with young people in the various countries of Europe, understanding their mentality and aspirations."

The Holy Father concludes by asking Cardinal Sodano to pass on to all the participants "our affectionate proximity and our spiritual participation. We invoke the protection of St. James upon all of them, may he fill them with celestial favors and help them to enthusiastically follow in his footsteps."

The mission that will accompany Cardinal Sodano to Santiago is composed of Msgrs. Pedro Lopez Quintana, Eliseo Ariotti and Vicente Juan Segura, respectively assessor to the Secretariat of State, counsellor at the apostolic nunciature in Madrid and nunciature counsellor in the Secretariat of State. Dr. Giampaolo Mattei will also participate in the mission.

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