Vatican City, Aug 25, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Holy See Press Office released today Pope John Paul II’s message to youth for World Youth Day 2005, which will be held in Cologne, Germany, next August.
The Pontifical Council for the Laity said the message was published one year in advance in order to be used in the pastoral preparation in the dioceses of the world.
The Holy Father’s message develops the theme chosen for WYD in Cologne "We have come to worship him" (Mt 2:2), pointing out that it "enables young people from every continent to follow in spirit the path taken by the Magi whose relics, according to a pious tradition, are venerated in this very city, and to meet, as they did, the Messiah of all nations".
The Holy Father brings to light the interior attitude of adoration that the Magi exhibited which teaches us that by "faithfully pursuing the path of our Redeemer from the poverty of the Crib to His abandonment on the Cross, we can better understand the mystery of His love which redeems humanity".