“From confession comes new strength to love and change the world,” Pope Benedict XVI tells young

(30 Mar. 2007) : “Young people: go to confession often so that you shall renew your capacity to love! It will help you change the world and bring to it a civilisation of love,” said Pope Benedict XVI in a message delivered to thousands of young people who filled St Peter’s Square on Thursday. “In the heart of each man, beggar for love, there is a thirst for love. Indeed, Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it,” the Pope told his young listeners.

The Pontiff further continued: “But tonight as you approach the sacrament of the confession, you will be able to experience the free gift God makes of His life, so that we can become new beings. After that, be prepared to use love with you families, friends, and even those who have given you offence; be prepared to bear witness of the true Christian love wherever you study and work, in parish communities, groups, movements, associations, in every realm of society,” the Pope added.

Then Pope Benedict performed a key priestly duty, entered one of the confessionals of St. Peter's Basilica to hear the confessions of various young people from the Diocese of Rome, in preparation for the diocesan-level World Youth Day, to be held Sunday in Rome. 200 priests administered the sacrament of reconciliation to thousands of young men and women in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Holy Father will preside over World Youth Day in the morning of April 1, Palm Sunday, in St. Peter's Square. The Mass will begin with a blessing of the palms and a procession.