The Pope did not give his traditional brief meditation before praying the Angelus, but mentioned the youth event in several languages.
In French, he alluded to the theme of World Youth Day, “Planted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith.”
He invited young French-speakers to “remain rooted in Christ and firm in the faith,” saying that in this way they will be “tireless and joyful witnesses of the infinite love of God for us today.”
In English, the Holy Father affirmed his own anticipation for the August events.
“I look forward to celebrating World Youth Day in Madrid this summer with many thousands of others from around the world,” he said.
The Pontiff asked Spanish-speaking youth to accompany him in Madrid and in Portuguese, he wished his listeners a “Holy Week rich in spiritual fruits.” He invited them to learn from the Virgin Mary to “listen to God in interior silence, to look at others with a pure heart, and to follow Jesus with loving faith, along the path of Calvary that leads to the joy of the Resurrection.”
“Until [we meet] in Madrid, please God,” he said.
Benedict XVI added in Polish his invitation to prepare for World Youth Day, making the exhortation to “accept the cross of Christ, a sign of the love of God, as a fount of new life.”
Finally, he recalled in Italian his appointment with young people in August.
