The Holy Father gave that exhortation at the end of today’s general audience, the second of his pontificate, which gathered 15,000 pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.
“In this month of May, dedicated in a special way to the Mother of the Lord, I encourage you, dear young people, to enter the school of Mary to learn to love and follow Christ above all else,” the Pope said with a smile.
Benedict XVI, who spent considerable time at the start of the audience greeting sick persons seated in the front rows, gave them a message too.
“May the Virgin help you, dear sick people, to contemplate with faith the mystery of pain and to understand the salvific value of every cross,” he said.
Finally, the Holy Father addressed newlyweds, who arrived at the Vatican dressed in their wedding clothes.
“I commend you, dear newlyweds,” he said, “to the maternal protection of the Holy Virgin, so that you will be able to live in your family the atmosphere of prayer and love of the home of Nazareth.”
