Pope Benedict's message for XXIII World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney

(July 21, 2007) In a message for the Catholic Church’s 23^rd World Youth Day next year, Pope Benedict XVI has urged the Catholic youth of the world to be open to and grow in the Holy Spirit so that they can become intrepid and generous missionaries of the love of Christ among their neighbours. The theme of the 2008 WYD scheduled from July 15-20, in Sydney, Australia is: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.' The Pope’s message, released by the Vatican on Saturday, is a comment on this theme. The Pope urged young people to prepare themselves for this event by listening to the Word of God to become aware of the Holy Spirit’s continuing and active presence in the life of the church from the Old Testament to the New. The Pope also asked the youth to rediscover in their lives the importance of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist so that their knowledge of Jesus becomes more mature in order to help them realize the Gospel in the third millennium. He said that the Gospel of Jesus is not a mere statement but good news for the poor, liberation for prisoners and sight to the blind… It is the Holy Spirit, he said, who transforms and fills us with his strength in order to make us witnesses of the missionary ardour of Christ. Pope Benedict said he would attend the Sydney World Youth Day, and is tentatively scheduled to arrive there on July 17, 2008, for four days of ceremonies.