Pope Benedict XVI in Spain for World Youth Day

(August 18, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Madrid Barajas International Airport on Thursday at 12.00 noon for the 26^th World Youth Day celebrations that began on Tuesday, 16^th of August. He was accompanied by his Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Berthone and other Vatican officials. He was received at the Airport by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain, Cardinal Antonio M. Rouco, the Archbishop of Madrid, the other Cardinals, Church, Civil and Political authorities and a crowd of the young people. It is the 21st foreign trip of his Pontificate and his third trip to Spain. After the welcome speech by King Juan Carlos I, the Pope addressed the gathering. Pope Benedict XVI said that he has come to Spain to meet thousands of young people from all over the world, Catholics committed to Christ searching for the truth that will give real meaning to their existence. As the Successor of Peter he has come to confirm them all in the faith, with days of intense pastoral activity, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life; to motivate the commitment to build up the Kingdom of God in the world among us; to exhort young people to know Christ personally as a friend and so, rooted in his person, to become faithful followers and valiant witnesses. The Pope said that many young people have heard the voice of God, perhaps only as a little whisper, which has led them to search for him more diligently and to share with others the experience of the force which he has in their lives. The discovery of the living God inspires young people and opens their eyes to the challenges of the world in which they live, with its possibilities and limitations, he said.
With God beside them, said the Pontiff, they will possess light to walk by and reasons to hope, unrestrained before their highest ideals, which will motivate their generous commitment to build a society where human dignity and true brotherhood are respected. Pope Benedict told them that there are tensions and ongoing conflicts all over the world, even to the shedding of blood. Justice and the unique value of the human person are easily surrendered to selfish, material and ideological interests. In such situations said the Pontiff, as the young followers of Jesus, they must remain firm in the faith and to embrace the beautiful adventure of proclaiming it and witnessing to it openly with their lives. The Pope expressed his deep esteem and closeness to all the peoples of Spain, as well as his admiration for a country so rich in history and in culture through the vitality of its faith, which has borne fruit in so many saints over the centuries and missionaries all over the world. He added that it is a great treasure which should be cared for constructively, for the common good of today and in order to offer a bright horizon to future generations.
Following the welcoming ceremony at the Madrid International Airport the Pope is scheduled to meet the young people at Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles. On Friday the Pope will meet the women religious and young university professors. Later in the day he will pray the Way of the Cross with the young people. On Saturday the Pope will celebrate the Holy Mass with the Seminarians and then visit to the Foundation Institute of San Jose. Saturday ends with the prayer vigil with the youth. On Sunday the Pope will celebrate the closing Mass, the Angelus and then leaves for Rome.