Pope calls youth to faith

With his knee immobile, pontiff still eager to attend World Youth Day

By JOHN THAVIS
Catholic News Service
Vatican City

In a Palm Sunday homily, the pope said, "I assure you that you will not be disappointed. No one except Christ can give you that love, that peace and the eternal life that your hearts are longing for."

The pope joined youth from Canada and Europe at the March 24 liturgy, but he was unable to celebrate the Mass because of continuing knee problems.

The pontiff presided over the first part of the liturgy seated on a throne to the side of the altar in St. Peter's Square. Then, during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, he knelt as Cardinal Camillo Ruini, papal vicar of Rome, took his place at the altar.

It was the first time in his 23-year pontificate that the pope was forced to sit out the Palm Sunday Mass.

He said he was heartened at the youths' participation in the liturgy, which showed that they "are not ashamed of the cross." Like the residents of ancient Jerusalem, he said, people today have to decide whether to "stay with Christ or flee or remain simple spectators of his death."

He said young people who follow Christ have chosen a wise teacher - not "a merchant of illusions, not one of the powerful of this world, not a shrewd and clever speaker."

"You know who you have chosen to follow: the risen Christ," the pope said, his voice raised to a shout.

He said Christ's example shows people how to witness the truth and resist the "flattery and threats, the misunderstanding and intimidation, and even harsh and merciless persecution."

"We will meet again at World Youth Day in Toronto." - Pope John Paul

The Palm Sunday Mass was the last major Vatican event in anticipation of the celebration of World Youth Day in Toronto in late July. Ten Canadians joined nearly 100 other youth in a procession that commemorated Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week before his death.

An informed Vatican source said doctors had to struggle to convince the pope not to celebrate the liturgy because they feared it would worsen the pain caused by arthrosis, a degenerative condition of the joint. In the end, the pope reluctantly agreed, hoping his knee would improve in time for a heavy schedule of Holy Week activities, the source said.

Unlike previous years, the pope did not participate in the annual procession through the square. Instead, he blessed the palm fronds and olive branches as people passed with them.

The pontiff listened to the chanted Gospel account of Christ's Passion, then delivered a sermon that focused on the relevance of the crucifixion to young Christians.

The Canadians present were members of a World Youth Day planning team that held talks with Vatican officials to work out final details of the main events in Toronto July 23-28.

Debra Violette, who read the Second Reading in English, manages a call centre at World Youth Day headquarters in Toronto. She told Catholic News Service that as the calls pour in "we can feel the enthusiasm building" for the celebration.

At the end of the Mass, the pope said he hoped this summer's encounter would show the Church's universal nature and help spread the Gospel.

"Continue to follow the Lord with joy and enthusiasm. He has the words of eternal life. He wants you to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

"We will meet again at World Youth Day in Toronto. God bless you all."

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