VATICAN CITY, 13 JUL 2008 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Pope to the people of Australia and to young pilgrims taking part in World Youth Day.
In the English-language Message, the Pope explains how in a few days time, on 17 July, his apostolic trip to Australia to celebrate the 23rd World Youth Day will begin.
"First of all", he writes, "I want to express my appreciation to all those who have offered so much of their time, their resources and their prayers in support of this celebration".
After then recalling the theme of the forthcoming event - "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witnesses" - the Pope says: "How much our world needs a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit! There are still many who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, while many others, for whatever reason, have not recognised in this Good News the saving truth that alone can satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts".
"Many young people today lack hope. They are perplexed by the questions that present themselves ... and they are often uncertain which way to turn for answers. They see poverty and injustice and they long to find solutions. They are challenged by the arguments of those who deny the existence of God and they wonder how to respond. They see great damage done to the natural environment through human greed and they struggle to find ways to live in greater harmony with nature and with one another.
"Where", the Pope asks, "can we look for answers? The Spirit points us towards the way that leads to life, to love and to truth. The Spirit points us towards Jesus Christ. ... In Him we find the answers that we are seeking, ... we find the strength to pursue the path that will bring about a better world".
The Holy Father concludes his Message by saying: "My prayer is that the hearts of the young people who gather in Sydney for the celebration of World Youth Day will truly find rest in the Lord, and that they will be filled with joy and fervour for spreading the Good News among their friends, their families, and all whom they meet".
PV-AUSTRALIA/MESSAGE/SYDNEY VIS 20080714 (400)
In the English-language Message, the Pope explains how in a few days time, on 17 July, his apostolic trip to Australia to celebrate the 23rd World Youth Day will begin.
"First of all", he writes, "I want to express my appreciation to all those who have offered so much of their time, their resources and their prayers in support of this celebration".
After then recalling the theme of the forthcoming event - "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witnesses" - the Pope says: "How much our world needs a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit! There are still many who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, while many others, for whatever reason, have not recognised in this Good News the saving truth that alone can satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts".
"Many young people today lack hope. They are perplexed by the questions that present themselves ... and they are often uncertain which way to turn for answers. They see poverty and injustice and they long to find solutions. They are challenged by the arguments of those who deny the existence of God and they wonder how to respond. They see great damage done to the natural environment through human greed and they struggle to find ways to live in greater harmony with nature and with one another.
"Where", the Pope asks, "can we look for answers? The Spirit points us towards the way that leads to life, to love and to truth. The Spirit points us towards Jesus Christ. ... In Him we find the answers that we are seeking, ... we find the strength to pursue the path that will bring about a better world".
The Holy Father concludes his Message by saying: "My prayer is that the hearts of the young people who gather in Sydney for the celebration of World Youth Day will truly find rest in the Lord, and that they will be filled with joy and fervour for spreading the Good News among their friends, their families, and all whom they meet".
PV-AUSTRALIA/MESSAGE/SYDNEY VIS 20080714 (400)
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