At the end of the weekly address to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter´s Square to pray the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted the followers of the «Way.»
The large number of followers of the Neocatechumenal Way met later in Circus Maximus with Kiko Argüello and Carmen Hernández, the founders of the ecclesial movement, for a vocational meeting in preparation for World Youth Day. WYD is scheduled for July 18-28.
At the conclusion of WYD 2000 in Rome, Argüello organized a similar meeting in the Circus where hundreds of young people made the decision to follow Christ in a consecrated life.
«You are on the road to the World Youth Day, which will take place in Toronto next July,» the Pope said to the youths. «You are youths on the road with Christ. I thank you because, with your presence, you give me the opportunity to renew the invitation to your Italian contemporaries and those of other countries of the world to prepare carefully for this important appointment.»
«In every circumstance, you must be able to give reason for the hope that is in you, with humility and respect,» he concluded. «Thank you for the visit. See you in Toronto!»
