Mar 4, 2008 / 09:07 am
Pope Benedict is planning to help the San Lorenzo International Youth Centre, which was founded by Pope John Paul II, kick off its 25th anniversary by celebrating Mass for its workers and guests on Sunday, March 9.
The Mass will be celebrated in the church of San Lorenzo, which is nearby St. Peter’s Square and connected to the youth center.
The San Lorenzo International Youth Centre was inaugurated by John Paul II on 13 March 1983. During a Eucharistic celebration held that day, the then Pope expressed the hope that the centre may become "a forge for the formation of authentic young Christians who are capable of bearing coherent witness to the Gospel in today's world".
According to a press communiqué released this morning, the "house for young people", supported by the Pontifical Council for the Laity and located next to the Holy See, is "a place of welcome, prayer, formation and encounter for young people from all over the world who are in Rome on pilgrimage". It is also "the site where the World Youth Day cross is kept".