VATICAN CITY, APRIL 20, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI concluded today’s general audience with two special greetings for young people.
He made mention of the international gathering of youth in the annual UNIV event, sponsored by Opus Dei.
“I hope that these Roman days will be for all of you an occasion to rediscover the person of Christ and of strong ecclesial experience so that you can return home animated by the desire to witness the mercy of the heavenly Father,” the Holy Father told them.
Citing the founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaría Escrivá, he expressed his wish that “your behavior and your conversation be such that in seeing you and hearing you everyone will be able to say: here is one who reads the life of Jesus Christ.”
UNIV has been gathering students since 1968. Participants gather in Rome for various cultural encounters, conferences, roundtables, showrooms and concerts, all aimed to delve more deeply into matters relevant to the university, particularly highlighting a spirit of service.
The Pontiff also greeted young people with his traditional message to conclude the general audience.
“Tomorrow we will enter into the Sacred Triduum which will bring us to relive the central mysteries of our salvation,” he said. “I invite you, dear young people […] to look at the cross and to draw from it light to walk faithfully in the footsteps of the Redeemer.”
The Bishop of Rome added: “For you, dear sick, may the passion of the Lord, culminating in the glorious triumph of Easter, constitute always a source of hope and comfort.
“And you, dear newlyweds, dispose your hearts to celebrate with intense participation the paschal mystery, so that your existence becomes every day a reciprocal gift, open to the fruitful love of goodness.”
