"Prepare well for this magnificent celebration of faith" and "be brave in witnessing Christ". In short, that was the appeal which Benedict XVI launched to the young today, with a view to the World Youth Day which is taking place in Sydney, Australia, from 15 to 20 July 2008. Before the conclusion of Wednesday’s audience, by addressing "the young who are present here, and all the young in the world who are preparing for this joyful faith meeting", the Pope exhorted them in this way: "Enter the lives of your parishes fully, and take part in the diocesan events with enthusiasm". By recalling Jesus’ promise to the Apostles, which is also the subject of the WYD, he said: "You will get the strength of the Holy Spirit, which will descend on you and you will witness", the Pope said, that "their fear and the anxious wait for the coming of the Spirit" describe "how we also feel while we are preparing for the Sydney meeting". Moreover, the Pope thanked "the ecclesiastic and government authorities", which "are working hard together with lots of Australian young, with the aim of guaranteeing all of us an extraordinary experience". (To be continued)
