Pope Benedict Inspires Young People
A LIFE DEDICATED TO GOD IS NEVER SPENT IN VAIN
VATICAN CITY, SEP 1, 2007 (VIS) - Shortly after 4 p.m. today, the Pope departed by helicopter from the pontifical residence at Castelgandolfo bound for the Italian shrine of Loreto where he presided at a national meeting of young people concluding the first year of the “Agora” of Italian youth. The event is being promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference.
At 5.15 p.m., the Pope’s helicopter arrived at the John Paul II Center at Montorso near Loreto. From there the Holy Father travelled by popemobile to the esplanade of Montorso where he joined 300,000 young people for a prayer vigil during which he replied to a number of questions that were put to him.
One question addressed “the disquiet shared by many young people from all parts of the world and all religions” concerning their place in history and their fear of being left on the margins. The Pope replied by indicating how “according to the divine plan, the world has no margins. … For God we are all at the center, … equally loved and called to undertake great deeds, … each using his or her own talents.”
“Dear young people,” said the Pope, “in Jesus’ name I repeat to you tonight: Go! Live! Love! In God’s eyes each of you is important, You are important to your family and friends, … to your country, to the entire world, to the Church and to Jesus Christ.” The Holy Father also exhorted the young people not to feel marginalized “because no life is unimportant. … You must realize that you are important protagonists, because you are at the center of God’s love.”
Benedict XVI then delivered a talk to the participants, whom he described as “the hope of the Church in Italy,” and he invited them “to open their hearts and offer everything to Jesus” with the “interior strength and trusting abandonment” that was Mary’s.
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