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Holy Father thanks all involved in World Youth Day,
announces next WYD in Sydney, 2008
On Sunday morning, 21 August [2005], at the end of Holy Mass on
Marienfeld Esplanade to conclude World Youth Day, the Holy Father
introduced the Angelus with a Reflection. The following is a translation
of that Reflection from German and various languages.
Dear Friends,
We have come to the conclusion of this marvellous celebration and
indeed of the Twentieth World Youth Day. In my heart I sense welling up
within me a single thought: "Thank you!" I am sure
— and I
feel — that this thought
finds an echo in each one of you. God himself has implanted it in our
hearts and he has sealed it with this Eucharist which literally means
"thanksgiving".
Yes, dear young people, our gratitude, born from faith,
is expressed in our song of praise to Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
who has given us yet another sign of his immense love.
Our "thank you", to begin with, rises up to God
— only he
could have given it to us in this way, as it was —, and our thanks are
now extended to all those who have been
involved in its preparation and organization.
World Youth Day was a gift, but, as it developed, was also the result
of much work. For this I must renew my
gratitude particularly to the Pontifical Council for the Laity, under
its President Archbishop Stanisław Ryłko, ably assisted by the
Secretary, Bishop Josef Clemens, and also to my Confrères from the
German Bishops’ Conference, in the first place to the Archbishop of
Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner. I am grateful to the political and
administrative Authorities who have ensured that each event has run
smoothly.
In a particular way I thank the many volunteers from German Dioceses and from
all the nations. A cordial word of thanks goes also to the many
contemplative communities who have supported us in prayer during this
World Youth Day.
WYD to travel 'Down Under'
And now, as the living presence of the Risen Christ in our midst
nourishes our faith and hope, I am pleased to announce that the next
World Youth Day will take place in Sydney, Australia, in 2008. We
entrust to the maternal guidance of Mary most holy, the future course of
the young people of the whole world.
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