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On 10th anniversary of Madrid WYD, Benedict XVI walks down memory lane

WYD
Kathleen N. Hattrup - published on 09/17/21
Seeming to recall that rainy vigil in Spain, the Pope Emeritus says there is nothing to fear for the future.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is taking time on Sundays to watch videos of the World Youth Day in Madrid, which was held 10 years ago in August 2011. Benedict himself spoke of his trips down memory lane in a brief note to the archbishop emeritus of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio María Rouco.

That World Youth Day brought together nearly two million young people from all over the world.

Benedict, now 94, concluded his note to Cardinal Rouco saying that "a Church in which so many young people gather joyfully around the Lord has nothing to fear for its future, even when a downpour tries to destroy everything."

The image was probably alluding to the memorable vigil of Eucharistic Adoration in Madrid, when a rain storm left the millions of young people soaked. The Pope that night called it an "adventure" that they had lived together, the youth and the Vicar of Christ.

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