Benedict XVI: Church Can Be Hopeful for Tomorrow

Expresses Gratitude to Pilgrims

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 20, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says World Youth Day showed that the Church can rejoice in today's youth and be hope-filled for the world of tomorrow.
The Pope affirmed this Monday morning at his last farewell before boarding the plane that would take him back to Rome. The Pope left Australia at about 10:30 a.m. local time.

"Before I take my leave, I wish to say to my hosts how much I have enjoyed my visit here and how grateful I am for your hospitality," the Holy Father said. He went on to thank the government officials present, including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Governor-General, Major-General Michael Jeffery.

Rudd told the Pope, "Your Holiness, it feels very much that you have already become one with us, indeed, that you have become one of us."

The prime minister also introduced the Holy Father to the first Australian resident ambassador to the Holy See, Tim Fischer. Previously, Australia's ambassador to Dublin also represented the nation at the Vatican. Fischer is expected to take up his appointment in early 2009.

Benedict XVI had a special word of gratitude for the host families who received pilgrims into their homes. "You have opened your doors and your hearts to the world's youth, and on their behalf I thank you," he said.

The Pope then turned his attention to the pilgrims.

"The principal actors on the stage over these last few days, of course, have been the young people themselves," he said. "World Youth Day is their day. It is they who have made this a global ecclesial event, a great celebration of youth and a great celebration of what it is to be the Church, the people of God throughout the world, united in faith and love and empowered by the Spirit to bear witness to the risen Christ to the ends of the earth.

"I thank them for coming, I thank them for their participation, and I pray that they will have a safe journey home. I know that the young people, their families and their sponsors have in many cases made great sacrifices to enable them to travel to Australia. For this the entire Church is grateful."

Overview

Benedict XVI said the days of this last week were "stirring" and he said that many scenes stand out in his mind.

He thanked the Sisters of St. Joseph for his visit to the shrine of Blessed Mary MacKillop.

"The Stations of the Cross in the streets of Sydney were a powerful reminder that Christ loved us 'to the end' and shared our sufferings so that we could share his glory," the Holy Father continued.

Referring to his meeting with youth who have histories of drug addiction and other problems, the Pontiff said: "The meeting with the young people at Darlinghurst was a moment of joy and great hope, a sign that Christ can lift us out of the most difficult situations, restoring our dignity and enabling us to look forward to a brighter future."

But "without a doubt," the Pontiff went on, "the gatherings at Barangaroo and Southern Cross were high-points of my visit."

The Pope was welcomed Thursday on a boat-a-cade at Barangaroo. And the Southern Cross Precinct was the site of the Saturday evening vigil and Sunday closing Mass with some 400,000 people.

"Those experiences of prayer, and our joyful celebration of the Eucharist, were an eloquent testimony to the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit, present and active in the hearts of our young people," he said. "World Youth Day has shown us that the Church can rejoice in the young people of today and be filled with hope for the world of tomorrow."

The Bishop of Rome concluded his farewell, saying, "May God bless the people of Australia!"

He left Sydney on a Qantas flight bound for the Vatican. The plane was scheduled to refuel in Darwin, Australia, before traveling on.