Cologne, Germany, Aug 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Before a World Youth Day crowd of more than one million in Marienfeld Sunday morning, Pope Benedict XVI called on young people to make their love for Christ and their desire to build a better world known to others.
“Let others see this, let the world see it, since this is exactly the witness that the world expects from the disciples of Jesus Christ; in this way, and through your love above all, the world will be able to discover the star that we follow as believers,” he urged the pilgrims who came to Cologne, Germany for the 20th WYD.
The 78-year-old Pope delivered his homily from the Altar’s Hill, built in Marienfeld (the field of Mary) for the concluding papal events of World Youth Day. Organizers said 750 bishops concelebrated the mass with the Pope on the stage. Another 9,000 priests were seated on the grounds at the base of the hill.
Despite gray skies and 15-degree (Celsius) weather, pilgrims were enthusiastic in their welcome of the Pope, clapping their hands to the entrance hymn (Jesus Christ, You Are My Life) and fully participating in the mass. The Pope, dressed in gold vestments and mitre, waved and smiled.