Pope to field questions from young people during WYD

Madrid, Spain, Jul 8, 2011 / 16:05 pm

Pope Benedict will answer questions from young people during the Aug. 20 prayer vigil, World Youth Day 2011 organizers announced on July 7.

One young person from each continent will ask the Holy Father a question about his own doubts and concerns. The Pope will respond to the questions during the Saturday night vigil that will gather thousands of young people at the Cuatro Vientos airfield outside Madrid.

During his visit to Croatia on June 5, Pope Benedict reminded young people that “the time of youth is given to you by the Lord to enable you to discover life’s meaning!”

“It is a time of vast horizons, of powerful emotions, but also a time of concern about demanding, long-term choices, a time of challenges in your studies and in the workplace, a time of wondering about the mystery of pain and suffering. What is more, this wonderful time of life is marked by a deep longing which, far from cancelling everything else, actually lifts it up and fulfils it,” he said.

“Dear young people: if you are rooted in Christ, you will fully become the person you are meant to be. As you know, this is the theme I chose for my Message for the coming World Youth Day, which will see us gathered this August in Madrid and towards which we are now making our way,” the Pope said.

The international gathering of youth will take place Aug. 16-21 in Madrid, Spain, with Pope Benedict scheduled to arrive on Thursday, Aug. 18. The Pope will enter the Gate of Alcala during the welcoming ceremony.

He is also scheduled to address young people after the Way of the Cross on Friday at Cibeles Square.