Benedict XVI is encouraging Polish youth to form a friendship with Christ, though he acknowledges that friendship is a bond that requires effort.The Pope made this invitation in a video message delivered Saturday to 70,000 young people gathered in Lednica for Poland's 12th Youth Day.
This year, the theme of the meeting was friendship.
The founder or the youth meeting, Dominican Father Jan Gora, said the theme of friendship is like a medicine: "It is 'a medicine' for the void of the contemporary world and for relationships lacking commitment.
"Friendship is the most beautiful gift that we can be given in life; therefore, it must be nurtured with care: at home, in school, at work, in marriage, but above all friendship with Christ must grow."
The vigil was attended by young people from all over Poland, but also from Ukraine, Byelorussia, Germany and England.
Coadjutor Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki of Lviv, former personal secretary of Pope Paul II, was also present. He carried to Lednica's esplanade the cross that the late Pontiff used during his last public Way of the Cross.
The youth participated in a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz of Warsaw. Then, they listened to the words of the Holy Father, who -- as in previous years -- delivered his address in Polish: "Dearest young friends, Jesus says to us: 'No longer do I call you servants (...) but I have called you friends' and added: 'for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.'
"Yes, friendship is an exacting bond: It is based on sincerity and testimony. If you wish to become friends of Christ and of men, go before him and before them in truth and give witness of your faith, hope and love. I greet you cordially and bless you, in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
The next meeting in Lednica will be held in June 2009.
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