Vatican City, Mar 1, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The Vatican announced today that Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer intention for the month of March will focus on young people, particularly those searching for their own true sense of life.

His also prayed that within their search, these youth “may be understood, respected and accompanied with patience and love."

On Monday, the Vatican released Pope Benedict’s Message for the 21st World Youth Day, in which he called on young people to be “a new generation of apostles anchored firmly in the word of Christ, capable of responding to the challenges of our times and prepared to spread the Gospel far and wide.” 

Many watchers have observed that Benedict has made youth one of the focuses of his pontificate, thus following in the footsteps of his predecessor John Paul II.

The Vatican likewise announced today that the Pope’s mission intention is: "That, throughout the Church, there may grow that shared missionary awareness which favors the collaboration and exchange of those who work in the missions."

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