His message of love and peace

Pope John Paul II closes World Youth Day in Toronto with memorable words

For many, the Pope was just a green dot in the distance, on the background of the big altar lashed by the rain and the wind. But even the illusion to see - again, after last Saturday's vigil - John Paul II raised the enthusiasm of this tired crowd, numbering about 800,000.
A wet sunrise greeted the more than 500,000 youth who spent the night at Downsview Park in their tents, sleeping bags and even cardboard boxes, in close proximity: Europeans and Asians, Americans and Africans, in a triumph of nationalities and flags.
The awakening of this crowd was quite rude. Sleepy eyes, crumpled T-shirts and long line-ups for bathroom and breakfast, dispersed by a sudden thunderstorm. The huge collective beast then reformed in the former military base turned into a quagmire. Hundreds of bishops and cardinals, clad in bright white, yellow and red robes, reached their places on the giant stage. That signalled that John Paul II was arriving. While in Downsview Park people were singing and praying, the Pope was flying over the city, and finally at about 9 a.m. he rejoined 'his' children after the tears and emotion of the night.
The outpouring of joy began at once. In order to reach the stage, the Pope rode his Popemobile through the crowd: flags, cheers and yells were raised at his passage. The final event of the World Youth Day could begin. From the altar came a sound like a caress, a lament, a memory. It was an intense sound, a sweet vibration that flew over the big encampment of "God's sentries."
That was the Mass of the Great Farewell. "The world you are inheriting is a world which desperately needs a new sense of brotherhood and human solidarity," said John Paul II in his homily. "It is a world which needs to be touched and healed by the beauty and richness of God's love."
The crowd responded with booming cheers and a rhythmic chant of "We Love You," underscored by the clapping of several hundred thousand hands. The clouds finally parted, and the sun came out.
Then the thin but strong voice of the Pope rose again: "The harm done by some priests and religious to the young and vulnerable fills us all with a deep sense of sadness and shame," he thundered, referring to the sexual scandals that rocked the Church in North America, whose top hierarchies have been accused of covering up paedophile priests. "But think," he said, stressing his voice, "of the vast majority of dedicated and generous priests and officials whose only wish is to serve and do good! There are many priests, seminarians and consecrated persons here today; be close to them and support them!" A long applause came from the audience, amidst renewed flag-waving.
It was also the Mass of Inheritance. "You are young, and the Pope is old and a bit tired. But he still fully identifies with your hopes and aspirations," he said, occasionally interrupted by the cheers.
"Although I have lived through much darkness, under harsh totalitarian regimes, I have seen enough evidence to be unshakeably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in the hearts of the young."
In six days, John Paul II gave his manifesto for living the Catholic faith in the third millennium to the youth of the world. He exhorted them to live in peace and justice, to reach out to the men and women who live in hunger, misery, disease, or the desperation of jail and sin, discovering the face of Christ in them. With reference to the September 11 terrorist attacks, he committed them never to be instruments of violence and hatred. The way he pointed to is not downhill. It requires spirit of sacrifice: "Even a tiny flame lifts the heavy lid of night. How much more light will you make, all together, if you bond as one in the communion of the Church!"
He spoke with determination, in English, French and Spanish, eyeing only his 'sentries'. The great rave party of faith closed on an invitation to reflection: "We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son."
After the Eucharistic co-celebration, right before the Angelus, the Pontiff spoke of the Church in Canada, expressing his wish that the WYD might mark a reawakening for the Pastoral of Youth: "May the enthusiasm of this moment be the spark that is needed to launch a new era of powerful witness to the Gospel!"
Then the announcement: the next edition will be held in 2005 in Cologne, Germany. Finally, the greetings: in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German and Polish.
The enormous audience embraced the Pontiff once more with yells and cheers. The helicopter took off and circled over the biblical encampment. Karol Wojtyla waved at his tired pilgrims who, smilingly, began preparing themselves to return to the world.

Publication Date: 2002-08-04
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=1659