19-Aug-2000 -- Church News. EWTN.
EWTN's World Youth Day Coverage.
Castelgandolfo, 19 (NE) Yesterday morning, at the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, Pope John Paul II received the delegation of Cuban youth that have peregrinated to Rome to participate at the XV World Youth Day. The young people came with Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of
Havana and with Bishop Carlos J. Baladron Valdes of Guantanamo-Baracoa.
"Today," the Holy Father told them, "I wish to recall you the words I told you during my unforgettable trip to Cuba: Continue contemplating Christ. He wants to offer you His friendship again; His eyes, full of tenderness, continue watching the Cuban youth, living hope of the
Church and of Cuba. ´Don´t be afraid to open your hearts to Christ.´ Don't close yourselves to His love."
He also stated that the World Youth Day is "a priviledged occasion for evangelization, for Church communion and interior renovation through the personal encounter with Christ, together with the many young people from the whole world, pilgrims to the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul."
At the end, the Pope exhorted them to be witnesses of Christ, "assuming the concrete commitments to spread the civilization of love in all areas: family, Church communities and work. I ask the Lord that, in this Jubilee Year, the Spirit fills you with blessings and gifts." | 