Sunday, Dec 22 2024 Donate
A service of EWTN News

WYD Madrid to help recover Christian identity of Europe, says Vatican spokesman

Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See's Press Office

In an interview with Vatican Radio, the director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Father Federico Lombardi, said the next World Youth Day to be held in Madrid in 2001 will focus on the challenge of preventing Europe from losing its Christian identity.

Europe “is a continent where the confrontation between the faith and the problems of modern society, secularization and development, which the world imposes on the faith, is always alive,” Father Lombardi said. The effort to recover the Catholic identity of Europe will take place “without controversy and without trying to make comparisons with the world around us.”

“The Pope has spoken often of the risk that Europe might lose its fundamental values connected to the Christian tradition and the contribution the faith has made to this continent,” Father Lombardi explained.  Therefore, he said, “this will be one of the issues and objectives of the next World Youth Day.”

He also recalled the success of the World Meeting of Families which took place in Valencia, Spain, “where the Pope’s message was completely positive, centered on the beauty of being a Christian and on the positive message for today’s family as well.”

“I think this will be the spirit also of the next World Youth Day in Spain: a message of hope, a message that says that the faith makes a beautiful and important contribution to the future of our society and our world,” Father Lombardi said.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.

As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Click here

Our mission is the truth. Join us!

Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.

Donate to CNA