World Youth Day (WYD) is a gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope. It is a meeting to build and strengthen the bonds of faith, friendship and hope, symbolizing the union between people of different cultures and countries. WYD is a testimony of a living Church that is continually being renewed.The main goal of WYD is to inspire young people with Christ’s message.
It all started in 1984, by Pope John Paul II. The International Meeting of Youth, during the Holy Year of Redemption, took place in St Peter’s Square, at the Vatican.
It was there that the Pope gave the youth the cross which became one of the symbols of WYD – known as the Pilgrim Cross, or WYD Cross; it is with the youth at every WYD.
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Since the youth received the Cross from our Great Pope John Paul II, it has been carried around by young people in a pilgrimage throughout the world, visiting various countries and parts of our globe. But the Cross doesn’t travel alone. In 2003, John Paul II entrusted the youth with an icon of Our Lady, Salus Populi Romani. Since then, the Cross and the Icon have travelled together.
At the end of WYD Rome 2000, the cross was given to young Canadians by young Italians, in anticipation of WYD Toronto 2002. One of the young people receiving the cross said: “This cross has had a tremendous impact on all of the nations where it has been present. This was evident to me during the ceremonies when we received the cross from the Italians. They were extremely emotional, crying tears of sorrow because they did not want to give it up. We, on the other hand, were crying tears of joy because we were receiving a powerful symbol that we know will impact our nationPope Francis gave an inspiring talk explaining the tenets of serving Christ to pilgrims, “I have neither silver nor gold, but I bring with me the most precious thing that was given to me: Jesus Christ!”, Says Pope Francis between applause at the Palácio Guanabara in the welcoming ceremony with President Dilma Rousseff on this Tuesday night. The Holy Father greets the youth and all the pilgrims attending World Youth Day (WYD Rio2013)As Stated by the Holy Father, it is ideal to give opportunities to all the young people. “The youth are the window through which the future enters the world, thus presenting us with great challenges. Our generation will show that it can realize the promise found in each young person when we open up the space”>>> Click here to see the full speechPope Francis highlighted that God believes in the youth and entrust in them the mission to evangelize. “Christ ‘gives faith’ to the youth and entrust in them the future of our own cause “Go and make disciples”. Go beyond the borders of what is humanly possible and create a world of brothers. Also the youth ‘give faith’ in Christ. They are not afraid to risk the only life they have, because they know they will not be disappointed”
Read: ACT NOW: #Your Life Matters
The emotion of the public was intense when Pope Francis said that his arms are open to the whole nation. “In this hour, the arms of the Pope spread to embrace all of Brazil and its human, cultural and religious complexity and richness. From the Amazon Basin to the plains, from the backwoods to Pantanal, from the villages to the great cities, no one is exclude from the Popes affection”.
In his speech, President Dilma Rousseff stressed the importance of the Catholic pastoral in defense of the protection of the rights and social guarantees of the people living on the streets and in prison. “We know that hunger and thirst for justice are in a hurry.” Stated President Rousseff.
Dimla added that Pope Francis is a sensitive leader to the people. “We have in front of us a religious leader who is sensitive to the social justice of the people”.
The President also stated that the Church plays a major role in social causes. “With the help of the Church, we can transform initiatives into effective action”.
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