August 21, 2011. (Romereports.com)The
pope's visit to Madrid has come to an end. Before leaving, Benedict
XVI met with 12,000 of the 40,000 volunteers from the IFEMA
organization in Madrid.
Card.
Antonio Maria Rouco Varela Archbishop of Madrid “The
farewell is difficult, we find it difficult for everyone! We-ve heard
it these past days from the lips of the youth repeatedly saying 'we
love you'. Saying 'we love you, Holy Father! Bless us!'”
It
was a meeting of youth that saw the testimony from many of the young
people who helped to organize the event.
Javier
Reyes Volunteer “Thank
you again Holy Father, for being with us, for trusting in us and
always keeping us in your prayers. Come back whenever you like, this
is your home and it's doors are open. Thank you, thank you.”
Giselle
Azevedo Volunteer “I
am a volunteer for this World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, and I'm very
grateful. I participated in the World Youth Day in Cologne and I was
impressed with the courage of many young people that expressed their
faith. The silence and the enthusiasm with which they listened to
your words.”
The
pope thanked the volunteers that were gathered for their work during
the past days of World Youth Day.
Benedict
XVI
“Dear
Volunteers: As the events of this unforgettable World Youth Day draw
to a close, I wanted to come here, before my return to Rome, to thank
you personally for all your invaluable help. It is both a matter of
justice and a heartfelt duty.” Benedict
XVI also stressed
the need to hear the calling of God.
Benedict
XVI “Perhaps
some of you are thinking: the pope came to thank us and here he is
asking us for something more! You are right. But that is the mission
of the pope, the Successor of Peter. After all, Peter, in his First
Letter, reminds Christians that they were ransomed at a great price:
that of the blood of Christ. Those who look at their lives from this
perspective know that Christ’s love can only be met with love. That
is what the pope is asking you to do in this farewell: to respond in
love to the One who for love gave himself up for us.”
The
pope then left the youth after giving them his blessing.
August 21, 2011. (Romereports.com)
