Adress of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the Angelus
(Cologne - Marienfeld, 21 August 2005)
Dear Friends,
We have
come to the conclusion of this marvellous celebration and indeed of the Twentieth
World Youth Day. In my heart I sense welling up within me a single thought: “Thank
you!” I am sure that this thought finds an echo in each one of you. God himself
has implanted it in our hearts and he has sealed it with this Eucharist which literally
means “thanksgiving”. Yes, dear young people, our gratitude, born from faith, is
expressed in our song of praise to Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who has given
us yet another sign of his immense love.
Our words of thanks rise up to God
through the gift of this unforgettable meeting, and are now extended to all those
who have been involved in its preparation and organization. I wish to renew my gratitude
particularly to the Pontifical Council for the Laity, under its President Archbishop
Stanis_aw Ry_ko, ably assisted by the Secretary, Bishop Josef Clemens, and also to
my Confrères from the German Bishops’ Conference, in the first place to the Archbishop
of Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner. I am grateful to the political and administrative
authorities who have ensured that each event has run smoothly; I thank the many volunteers
from German dioceses and from different countries. A cordial word of thanks goes
also to the many contemplative communities who have supported us in prayer during
this World Youth Day.
And now, as the living presence of the Risen Christ in
our midst nourishes our faith and hope, I am pleased to announce that the next World
Youth Day will take place in Sydney, Australia, in 2008. We entrust to the maternal
guidance of Mary most holy, the future course of the young people of the whole world.
Angelus
Domini ...
[French] I greet affectionately the French-speaking young
people. Thank you dear friends, for your participation, and I trust that you return
home bringing within, you like the Magi, the joy of having found Christ, the Son of
the living God.
[English] I extend a warm greeting to the English-speaking
young people from all parts of the world at the conclusion of these unforgettable
days. May the light of Christ, which you have followed on your way to Cologne, shine
ever more brightly and strongly in your lives!
[Spanish] Dear Spanish-speaking
young people! You have come to worship Christ. Now that you have found him, continue
to worship him in your hearts, always prepared to make a defence to any one who calls
you to account for the hope that is in you (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). Have a pleasant
return home!
[Italian] My dear Italian-speaking friends! This Twentieth World
Youth Day is ending, but the Eucharistic celebration must continue in our lives: bring
to all the joy of Christ that you have found here.
[Polish] To all the young
Polish people, I extend a warm embrace! As the great Pope John Paul II would say:
keep the flame of faith alive in your lives and in your people. May Our Lady, Mother
of Christ, guide your steps always.
[Portuguese] I greet with affection the
Portuguese-speaking young people. I pray dear friends, that you will always live
in friendship with Jesus, so as to know true joy and communicate it to others, especially
to young people in difficulty.
[Tagalog] My dear Tagalog-speaking friends
and all the young people of Asia! Like the Magi, you too have come from the East
to worship Christ. Now that you have found him, return to your countries bringing
in your hearts the light of his love.
[Swahili] A warm greeting also to you,
young people from Africa! Bring to your great and beloved Continent the hope that
Christ has given you. Be everywhere sowers of peace and brotherhood.
[German]
Dear friends who understand me in my own language, I thank you for the affection with
which you have sustained me in these days. Be close to me in prayer. Walk together
in unity. Always be faithful to Christ and to the Church. May the peace and the
joy of Christ be with you always!