Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is taking time on Sundays to watch videos of the World Youth Day in Madrid, which was held 10 years ago in August 2011. Benedict himself spoke of his trips down memory lane in a brief note to the archbishop emeritus of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio María Rouco.
That World Youth Day brought together nearly two million young people from all over the world.
Benedict, now 94, concluded his note to Cardinal Rouco saying that “a Church in which so many young people gather joyfully around the Lord has nothing to fear for its future, even when a downpour tries to destroy everything.”
The image was probably alluding to the memorable vigil of Eucharistic Adoration in Madrid, when a rain storm left the millions of young people soaked. The Pope that night called it an “adventure” that they had lived together, the youth and the Vicar of Christ.
And so I now ask you to “abide” in the adoration of Christ, truly present in the Eucharist. I ask you to enter into conversation with him, to bring before him your questions and to listen to his voice. Dear friends, I pray for you with all my heart. And I ask you to pray for me. Tonight let us ask the Lord to grant that, attracted by the beauty of his love, we may always live faithfully as his disciples. Amen.
Dear Friends: I thank you for your joy and your resistance. Your strength is greater than the rain. Thank you.
And today we celebrate...