"That children and young people may be messengers of the Gospel and that they may be respected and preserved from all violence and exploitation"

Twenty year old Antonia from Scotland won a Facebook competition that has gotten her a front-line place on the stage for Saturday night's prayer vigil with Pope Benedict. Emer McCarthy caught up with her as she waited in line in Madrid to pick up her accreditation pass for the event... 

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The following are some questions from journalists who were present on the papal flight to Madrid. 

Q. - Holiness, welcome among us, thanks a lot - as usual - for giving us the opportunity for a brief meeting during the outbound flight. The "flying community" of journalists here, is composed of 56 people from many different countries, but the journalists who await you in Madrid number more than 4 000, in fact there are almost 5 000. This is a record for Spain and also for the coverage of a world event. We will make it our duty, of course, to give an adequate echo to your words during this wonderful event. As usual, I propose a few questions that I have been given in the past days by the journalists present here. 

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Madrid, Spain, Thursday on his 20th Apostolic voyage outside Italy. It is his third trip to the country and it marks the culmination of World Youth Day events currently underway in the Spanish capital. He is due to touch down in Barajas International airport at midday, where he will be officially welcomed by the head of State King Juan Carlos. Later Thursday evening he will be welcomed again to the city, but this time by the estimated one million young people waiting eagerly for his arrival. Emer McCarthy is there and sends us this report:

This year’s World Youth Day will take place in the Spanish capital Aug. 16-20. Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to arrive Thursday, Aug. 18. In total, he will preside at nine events with young people over four days. 

But this, the Pope’s third visit to Spain, will also have the diplomatic protocol of an official state visit. In fact the Holy Father will visit with the head of Spain, King Juan Carlos and meet with the Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Insisting that “each and every young person should be able to... grow and learn... free from all violence and discord... in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding”, the Holy See took the floor of the General Assembly Hall on the final day of the United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth. 

Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, reminded delegates that a family is “founded on the marriage between one man and one woman” and that the General Assembly declares that it is “the natural and fundamental group unit of society and must be guaranteed protection by society and the State” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Art. 16,3). He commended to their attention the deep desire of many youth for “personal relationships marked by truth and solidarity” and for a “family that will remain united”. 

It is the catechism for the very young. It will be launched at the worldwide gathering in Madrid. Benedict XVI is betting on it heavily, and recommending it. "Because it speaks to us of our own destiny," more compelling than a crime novel 

At the end of the General Audience, Benedict XVI recalled that the Church celebrates World Communications Day on Sunday, May 24th.

The new technologies have brought about fundamental shifts in the ways in which news and information are disseminated and in how people communicate and relate to each other. I wish to encourage all those who access cyberspace to be careful to maintain and promote a culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth, harmony and understanding can flourish.

"Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world! Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of Gods inf ...