Pope announces theme for next World Youth Day in Brazil

Pope Benedict XVI has unveiled the theme for the next international
level World Youth Day.

The meeting will be held in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, in 2013.

“The motto will be the command of Jesus: 'Go and
make disciples all peoples.' Even now I entrust to the prayers of all
the preparation of these very important appointments,” said the Pope in
his August 24 general audience at the papal summer residence of Castel
Gandolfo.

The theme is drawn from the resurrected Christ's commission to his disciples, as chronicled in the Gospel of Matthew.

The
Pope also unveiled the theme for next year's World Youth Day, which
will be held locally in the  indvidiual dioceses across the world. 

The
theme for the meeting will be: “Always be joyful in the Lord!” which is
taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians.

The Pope's
announcement comes less than a week after his visit to this year's World
Youth Day in Madrid .

He described the events of last week as “a
stupendous manifestation of faith for Spain and for 

the whole world.”

During
his four days in the Spanish capital, the Pope presided over eight
events before reaching the pinnacle of the event--Mass for an estimated
two million pilgrims at Madrid's Cuatro Vientos on Sunday.

“For
the multitude of young people from every corner of the earth it was a
special occasion for reflection, dialogue, to exchange positive
experiences and, above all, to pray together and renew their commitment
to root their lives in Christ,” he said.

He reflected upon each
event he participated in, paying particular tribute to the young people
who had “not been frightened by the rain and wind” during Saturday
evening's lightning storm which engulfed the World Youth Day prayer
vigil also held at Cuatro Vientos.

Instead, said the Pope, the vast
congregation remained  “in silent adoration of Christ present in the
Eucharist, to praise Him, thank Him and ask Him for help and light.”

He
described the World Youth Day pilgrims as a “precious gift which gives
hope for the future of the Church” with their “firm and sincere desire
to entrench their life in Christ” and to “walk together in the Church.”

Pope
Benedict said he was sure that the young pilgrims will return home
“with a firm resolve to be leaven in the dough, bringing the hope that
is born of faith.” 

He also assured them all of his continued prayers
that they “remain faithful to their commitments.”

The Pope
concluded  his address by wishing many of the pilgrims “a good return to
work” as the summer vacation period draws to a close. 

He then imparted
his apostolic blessing.

Source