Castel Gandolfo, Jul. 28, 2008 - At his Sunday midday audience on July 27, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) looked back at his trip to Australia for World Youth Day, which he described as a "new Pentecost" for the participants.
Speaking to the faithful who gathered in the courtyard of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo to join him in praying the Angelus, the Holy Father said that the young people he met in Sydney represent "the youthful face of the Church." Their gathering for World Youth Day-- "a great pilgrimage across the planet"-- reinforces hope for the future, he said.
A main theme of the meeting in Sydney was "an awareness of the central role of the Holy Spirit," the Pope continued. He said that the young participants were able to profit from meetings and catechetical talks, but most of all the event left "a profound interior impression on people's consciences."
From Sydney, the Pope continued, the young participants in World Youth Day were sent forth with renewed purpose and dedication, "called to be apostles of their peers."
Speaking to the faithful who gathered in the courtyard of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo to join him in praying the Angelus, the Holy Father said that the young people he met in Sydney represent "the youthful face of the Church." Their gathering for World Youth Day-- "a great pilgrimage across the planet"-- reinforces hope for the future, he said.
A main theme of the meeting in Sydney was "an awareness of the central role of the Holy Spirit," the Pope continued. He said that the young participants were able to profit from meetings and catechetical talks, but most of all the event left "a profound interior impression on people's consciences."
From Sydney, the Pope continued, the young participants in World Youth Day were sent forth with renewed purpose and dedication, "called to be apostles of their peers."