Pope Benedict XVI has sent a message to Maria Voce, president of the Focolare movement, on the occasion of Genfest, an ecumenical youth gathering that took place in Budapest from August 31 to September 2. The theme of the gathering, which included a flash mob, was “Let’s Bridge.”
“May this beautiful city be a sign of hope to inspire all the young people present to offer the hand of friendship to those from other backgrounds and cultures, in such a way as to shape the earthly city in unity and peace, rendering it to some degree an anticipation and prefiguration of the undivided city of God,” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone wrote on the Pope’s behalf.