Tears as Canadians part with the World Youth Day cross

Sydney
27 April 2003

Tears as Canadians part with the World Youth Day cross

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Tears as Canadians part with the World Youth Day cross

Young Canadians hand the World Youth Day cross to young Germans in St Peter’s Square

With tears running down their cheeks, young people from Canada have passed the World Youth Day cross to young delegates from Germany, which will host the next World Youth Day.

Before the handing over, Pope John Paul II told them that in contemplating the cross during its pilgrimage across Canada “you discovered God’s love for you”.

It had “brought many people to a powerful experience of God’s love. May the spirit of Toronto remain always alive in your hearts and bear abundant fruit in your lives”.

Basilian Fr Thomas Rosica, co-ordinator of the Toronto event, said the pilgrimage of the cross, a standard part of preparations for World Youth Day, took on an importance not seen in other countries as it crossed Canada by air, boat, train, truck and dogsled.

The Germans were also given an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Rome, host of the 2000 celebration. The Pope has asked that it be carried in pilgrimage with the cross.