Pope Benedict XVI sent a message to participants in an Argentinean conference on evangelization, encouraging them to promote the growth of the faith in their country.

In his statement, the Pope encouraged local Catholics "to continue to pursue with renewed apostolic zeal everything that can contribute more effectively to the development and strengthening of the supernatural life of grace in all Christians and people of good will."

This task should especially fall to "children and young people, who are the hope of the Church in the beloved nation of Argentina," the Pope said, adding that "faith is deciding to be with the Lord to live with Him."

The conference titled, "The New Evangelization Fifty Years After the Second Vatican Council," will be held Nov. 2 - 3 at St. Paul School in Buenos Aires.  

Speakers at the event will include Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata, Bishop Antonio Marino of Mar del Plata and Auxiliary Bishop Ariel Torrado Mosconi of Santiago del Estero.