Photo: Canção Nova Rio

“I want to direct my friendly greeting to the youth pilgrims that participate in this celebration of Palm Sunday. Particularly, I greet Archbishop Dom Orani Tempests, the Governor and Prefect of Rio de Janeiro and the rest of the authorities and members of the committee responsible for the organization of the next World Youth Day, in the coming year.

In the preparations for this day, seek to live according to the invitation that today is made to us ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’. In this way, the joyful spirit and welcome, innate to the Brazilians, will be sublimated through joy that is born from the union with Christ, the Only Redeemer. Thus you will be able to with open arms – as the Image of Christ that dominates the landscape of [Rio de Janiero] – receive the youth that will come  from all over the world to your city. To all I wish you a happy and holy Easter.

Pope Benedict XVI

translated from Portuguese