World Youth Day was held in Toronto, Canada from July 18 through 28 in order for young people to discuss ways of applying Christian Ethics to the the problems of today’s materialistic world. Although 200,000 were expected to attend, more than 800,000 were there by the final day. Pope John Paul II attended the conference and for four days offered encouragement, advice and support for those attending.
“I am full of years but young at heart”, he pointed out after reminding everyone that: "Too many lives begin and end without joy, without hope. That is one of the principal reasons for the World Youth Day.
"Young people are coming together to commit themselves, in the strength of their faith in Jesus Christ, to the great cause of peace and human solidarity".
“I am full of years but young at heart”, he pointed out after reminding everyone that: "Too many lives begin and end without joy, without hope. That is one of the principal reasons for the World Youth Day.
"Young people are coming together to commit themselves, in the strength of their faith in Jesus Christ, to the great cause of peace and human solidarity".
Although sponsored by the Catholic Church, the World Youth Day conference included Christians of all traditions and denominations, as well as Jews, Muslims and members of other faiths plus those with no specific belief, other than the need for understanding.
Upon his arrival in Canada the Pope told all who were present: “In the French version of your national anthem, ‘O Canada’, you sing: ‘Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, il sait porter la croix ...’. Canadians are heirs to an extraordinarily rich humanism, enriched even more by the blend of many different cultural elements.
Upon his arrival in Canada the Pope told all who were present: “In the French version of your national anthem, ‘O Canada’, you sing: ‘Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, il sait porter la croix ...’. Canadians are heirs to an extraordinarily rich humanism, enriched even more by the blend of many different cultural elements.