The United Nations had proclaimed 1985 to be an International Year of Youth. Although less than a year had passed since the Youth Jubilee, it was decided to hold a large meeting in Rome on 30 and 31 March.
“You are called to build peace”, the young people were told. They came from 70 countries and were gathered on Saturday afternoon in St John Lateran Square. The Pope spoke of how the younger generations are called to participation at all levels.
Once again, more than 300,000 young people from all over the world took part in the event.
After a night spent in prayer, on the morning of 31 March they came together in St Peter’s Square to celebrate Palm Sunday.
Here the pope made a surprise announcement. He had written a special apostolic letter Parati Semper addressed to all young people. “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” was the theme of the letter that was addressed to the young people of the world on the occasion of the International Year of Youth.
The document was almost like a long and impassioned conversation with young people. It is largely a commentary on the Gospel episode of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man (cf. Mk 10:17-22; Mt 19:16-22; Lk 18:18-23).
It is a message of hope and commitment through which the Holy Father speaks of how the Church attributes particular importance to the period of youth because it holds our hopes for the future of humanity and of the Church itself.
On 20 December 1985, the Holy Father made reference to the meeting held in March when he instituted World Youth Day. He set out the pastoral, educational and, one might say, existential lines that World Youth Day should follow.
Summary based on the data sheet published by frontierarieti.com, organ of the Diocese of Rieti.