Sydney, Australia (2008)
Date: 15-20 July 2008
Pontificate: Benedict XVI
Theme: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses ” (Acts 1:8)
Song: Receive the Power
The pontiff’s message evoked the relationship between the Holy Spirit and believers which is characterised by personal witness to the truth. Pope Benedict XVI expressly asked young people to be “prophets of a new era”, and to be aware of the continuous and active presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. He invited them to measure the quality of their faith in the Holy Spirit, and he drew their attention to Pentecost and to the “Comforter” who was promised by Jesus before his death on the cross. There are two main references to the Holy Spirit in the message for the 23rd WYD: source of communion and revealer of truth. The first is expressed in prayer together which is essential for a community to have “one heart and one soul”. The second refers to the Holy Spirit as “teacher of the interior life” who alone can open us up to faith and allow us to live each day to the full. “The Spirit impels us forward towards others, enkindles in us the fire of love and makes us missionaries of God’s charity.” Our faith is born and strengthened through the three sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
All of the Holy Father’s speeches at WYD in Sydney: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/travels/2008/outside/documents/australia.html
Summary based on the data sheet published by frontierarieti.com, organ of the Diocese of Rieti.