THEME FOR 16TH WORLD YOUTH DAY IS ANNOUNCED

VATICAN CITY, JAN 24, 2001 (VIS) - A communique was released this afternoon announcing that, on Palm Sunday, April 8, 2001 the 16th World Youth Day will be celebrated in local churches.

"The Holy Father John Paul II has chosen as the theme the words of Christ: 'If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily'."

"The Pope's Message which he addresses to young men and women for this occasion will be published soon.

"As is customary, the celebration of Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square will include the 'passage of the Cross': the young Italians who hosted World Youth Day in Rome last August - accompanied by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar of Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference - will turn the Cross over to the young Canadians who will then prepare to receive their peers from around the world for the 17th World Youth Day, which will be held in Toronto from July 23 to 28, 2002."

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