COLOGNE, Germany -- Before an enthusiastic crowd numbering in the hundreds of thousands, Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated an open-air mass to end World Youth Day.
(from CNN Article - click to view)
The week-long gathering of Catholic youths, which takes place every three years, was created by his predecessor, Pope John Paul II in 1985.
During his homily in a field near the German city of
"Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient," the pope said. "But if you make the effort, you will realize this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it, too."
In some parts of the world, Benedict XVI said, "there is a strange forgetfulness of God," and also "this feeling of frustration, a sense of dissatisfaction with everyone and everything. People exclaim, 'This cannot be what life is about.' And indeed, it is not."
He urged the crowd to read the catechism of the Catholic Church, but acknowledged "books alone are not enough. Form communities based on faith."
But he seemed to criticize the commercialism of religion, noting a "kind of new explosion of religion" but saying, "if pushed too far, religion becomes almost a consumer product. Some are even able to make a profit from it."
The pope was driven to the altar overlooking the Marienfeld, or Mary's Field, in his tall popemobile to the sound of hymns as thousands of priests lined up to assist in the service.
At the end of the two-hour service, Benedict XVI announced the next World Youth Day would be held in
At a prayer vigil Saturday night, Benedict XVI stuck to the script -- a departure from the folksy style of John Paul II, who was known to sing Polish songs and tell jokes at such events, said John Allen, CNN Vatican analyst.
However, he said, Benedict XVI was smiling and friendly as he delivered his message, and seemed to generate affection with the crowd. Allen added that he believed Benedict XVI was right in not attempting to clone the previous pope.
During his four-day trip to his homeland, his first as pontiff, Benedict XVI visited a synagogue, where he voiced concerns about "renewed signs" of anti-Semitism, and met a group of Muslim leaders and spoke about defeating the spread of terrorism.
In blunt remarks, he told Muslim leaders they had a "great responsibility" in properly educating their younger generations, according to The Associated Press.
"I am certain that I echo your own thoughts when I bring up as one of our concerns the spread of terrorism," Benedict told the Muslim leadership, mainly Turks, in his most extensive remarks on terrorism during his four-month papacy.
"Terrorist activity is continually recurring in various parts of the world, sowing death and destruction, and plunging many of our brothers and sisters into grief and despair."
Benedict did not mention specific attacks or assess blame.
"Those who instigate and plan these attacks evidently wish to poison our relations, making use of all means, including religion, to oppose every attempt to build a peaceful, fair and serene life together," he said, according to AP.
The pope meets Rabbi Netanel Teitelbaum at the synagogue.
In blunt remarks, he told a gathering of Muslim officials in
"I am certain that I echo your own thoughts when I bring up as one of our concerns the spread of terrorism," Benedict told the Muslim leadership, mainly Turks, in his most extensive remarks on terrorism during his four-month papacy.
"Terrorist activity is continually recurring in various parts of the world, sowing death and destruction, and plunging many of our brothers and sisters into grief and despair."
Benedict did not mention specific attacks or assess blame, but it appeared significant that he chose a Muslim audience for his remarks on terrorism.
"Those who instigate and plan these attacks evidently wish to poison our relations, making use of all means, including religion, to oppose every attempt to build a peaceful, fair and serene life together," he said.
The meeting, during Benedict's four-day trip to
There are some 3.5 million Muslims in
Going into Saturday's meeting, he had been cautious about making any links between terrorism and Islam, rejecting the idea that the world faced a "clash of civilizations" and reportedly overruling an aide who wanted to brand the July 7 London bombings as anti-Christian.
But in warning Saturday that the world risked exposure to "the darkness of a new barbarism," he stressed that Muslim leaders must "guide Muslim believers and train them in the Islamic faith."
"Teaching is the vehicle through which ideas and convictions are transmitted. Words are highly influential in the education of the mind. You, therefore, have a great responsibility for the formation of the younger generation," the pontiff said.
By working together, Catholics and Muslims could "turn back the wave of cruel fanaticism that endangers the lives of so many people and hinders progress toward world peace," he said.
The pope spoke of terrorism striking in "various parts of the world" but did not mention any specific attacks.
Benedict also alluded to another of his themes -- the need for reciprocity in religious freedom for Christians and other minorities in some Islamic countries. He did not name any but said "the defense of religious freedom ... is a permanent imperative and respect for minorities is a clear sign of true civilization."
The meeting with Muslims came a day after Benedict visited the
Earlier Saturday, Benedict met with Gerhard Schroeder and the German chancellor's challenger in Sept. 18 elections, Angela Merkel, in a courtesy visit.
Merkel, leader of the Christian Democratic Union and the daughter of a Protestant minister, said after the meeting that "it was a great joy to see the Holy Father. It was great to meet a German pope on German soil."
Schroeder, who also is Protestant, as are about a third of Germans, had no immediate public comment.
After the day's meetings, Benedict was to move to the Marienfeld, a former coal mine outside
Many of the pilgrims at Saturday's vigil were expected to spend the night under the open sky to attend Sunday morning's concluding Mass celebrated by Benedict. Organizers say they expect as many as 1 million to attend.