VATICAN - Thursday afternoon first meeting of Benedict XVI with young people of his diocese of Rome in preparation for 21st World Youth Day on Palm Sunday

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Continuing the tradition started by John Paul II on Thursday 6 April in St Peter’s Square Pope Benedict XVI will meet young people of his diocese of Rome as part of preparations for the 21st World Youth Day (this year a diocesan event involving local Bishops and young people all over the world) on Palm Sunday 9 April. The meeting will consist of testimony and reflection as well as artistic performances.
After the Pope’s arrival, a welcome address by his vicar for Rome diocese Cardinal Camillo Ruini and one young representative, the Youth Day Cross and the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani will be carried into the square while excerpts are read from the encyclical “Deus caritas est”. Then Maddalena Santoro, the sister of Fr Andrea Italian priest murdered in Turkey on 5 February , will give a talk on Fr Andrea’s special love for the Word of God which inspires total love and forgiveness. After a reading from the Gospel of St Luke, Benedict XVI will answer questions put by young people on the themes treated in this year’s World Youth Day Message. After that a delegation of young people will go with the Pope to pray at the tomb of a great witness to the Word : John Paul II. The meeting will close with the Ave Maria by Bach sung by Chinese born Hong Mei.
To honour the memory of Pope John Paul II “Papa boys” will give out about 30,000 free copies of “Apologia di Karol Wojtyla” with a music CD. The pocket size book was written by Adolfo Sassi the author of various historical-institutional works who studied for many years the thought and pontificate of Pope Papa Wojtyla on whom he has written many books . (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 5/4/2006; righe 22, parole 326)