WORLD YOUTH DAY CROSS, MARIAN ICON ENTRUSTED TO YOUNG GERMANS

VATICAN CITY, APR 13, 2003 (VIS) - Speaking after Mass today, World Youth Day, in St. Peter's Square, in the presence of 50,000 pilgrims, Pope John Paul noted that the Youth Day Cross was about to be given by a delegation of young Canadians to a number of German youth whose country is preparing for World Youth Day 2005.

"I entrusted this Cross," the Pope remarked, "to young people in the Holy Year 1984. At the end of each pilgrimage it makes, it is received into Rome's St. Lawrence Youth Center, which this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary. I thank Cardinal Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, for the care he and his collaborators give the center, as well as the movements, associations and communities, coordinated by the Emmanuel Community, which animate the center."

He pointed out that the youth day Cross "now resumes its pilgrimage: it will first travel through the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, then, starting with Palm Sunday next year, will visit the dioceses of Germany, eventually reaching Cologne," where the 2005 World Youth Day will take place.

"I also entrust," he concluded," to the delegation that has come from Germany, the icon of Mary. From now on, together with the Cross, she will accompany World Youth Days. The icon will be a sign of Mary's maternal presence with young people, who are called, like the Apostle John, to welcome her in their lives."

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