"It is important for God to be present in public life, with the signs of the Cross, in people’s houses and in public buildings". These are the words spoken by Benedict XVI off the cuff, during the Homily of the Holy Mass for Our Lady of the Assumption celebrated today in the small parish church of Castel Gandolfo, the church of St. Thomas of Villanova. "The modern era the Pope pointed out believed that by setting aside God and following only our ideas and our will we would become truly free, but this has not happened. Only if God is great said Benedict XVI will also man be great". These thoughts are shared also by the youth participating in the 20th World Youth Day, which will officially begin tomorrow in Cologne. Grégoire Petit, 19, from the Paris banlieu, is not afraid of showing his faith and of stating he belongs to the Catholic Church: " People should be free to show their religious faith. We cannot confine such a basic aspect of our life, like our religious faith, to the private sphere in the name of the secularity of the State. Wearing a cross or another religious sign, with style and without being provocative, is not an attack against secularity as many purport. Being lay does not mean giving up one’s religious beliefs. Respect must be shown also for those who profess a religious faith. The secret of healthy secularity lies in mutual knowledge, in understanding and in tolerance".
