WYD and Pope Benedict’s vision of a “new evangelisation”
This year’s World Youth Day will take place in the Spanish capital Aug. 16-20. Pope
Benedict XVI is scheduled to arrive Thursday, Aug. 18. In total, he will preside at
nine events with young people over four days.
But this, the Pope’s third visit
to Spain, will also have the diplomatic protocol of an official state visit. In fact
the Holy Father will visit with the head of Spain, King Juan Carlos and meet with
the Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
Speaking to Vatican Radio
from Madrid Apsotolic Nunicio Archbishop Renzo Fratini says Spain “is waiting for
the Holy Father with great desire and hope that he will also encourage a spiritual
rebirth of the nation”.
The Nuncio in Madrid says the nation is going through
a crisis of values and believes that the Pope will bring a new wind to society,”
even though Pope Benedict’s mission is primarily a spiritual one.
He says
“many young people feel disillusioned and are in need of new hope and so this day
- I believe - represents a new beginning”. The Nuncio believes that this World Youth
Day is a crucial component in Pope Benedict’s vision of a ‘new evangelization’ of
the European continent.
Archbishop Fratini says “The Pope will also make
time for confessions - a testimony to indicate that the Christian life really starts
from an inner renewal, from a conversion: the return to God.”
The theme for
World Youth Day in Madrid is “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the Faith,”
taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. Archbishop Fratini believes this to
be particularly apt in a time of economic uncertainty.
“I believe it is a
good opportunity to rediscover the foundations of the fundamental choice of Christian
life: live it every day in relationship with others and in a dimension of solidarity
and openness to the world”. The Archbishop concluded with the hope that the week of
events will help lead many young people to discover their vocation in life. Listen
to Emer McCarthy's report: