Predicting WYD

CNS STORY opines that "Pope's visit to Germany will return young papacy to world stage." Pope Benedict XVI has defied expectations so far. Catholic "Liberals" had expected the "Rotweiller" that the MSM had created. Instead, they see a Sheperd with a warm heart and a welcoming smile. Catholic "conservatives" had expected an enforcer of orthodoxy, who would cast out dissenters and restore doctrinal and liturgical order to a Post V2 Church-gone-mad. Instead, he has spoken the truth about what the Church is and continued to minister to even those Catholics that dissent. Now, however, comes a crucial moment and challenge. Will Pope Benedict XVI communicate the Faith in ways that continue to engage the attention of the Young, as his predecessor did? CNS reports:

Canadian Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, national director for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, said Pope Benedict has already shown he can connect with young Catholics.

"I feel that young people today are looking for clear, articulate teaching on the Christian life. In Benedict they have a great teacher," Father Rosica said.

"Benedict is growing beautifully into his new role as chief shepherd and pastor. I think he will need this World Youth Day experience with all of its joy and exuberance just as much as the young people need the pope," Father Rosica said.

Over the summer, Pope Benedict has been working on his speeches and getting into the World Youth Day spirit, telling visitors: "I am no longer young, but my heart is young."

The pope described the youth day events as "a spiritual pilgrimage to the source of our faith" and an opportunity to draw closer to Christ. He said the gathering could help create "true disciples, ready to proclaim and witness to the beauty and renewing force of the Gospel at every moment."

I think Pope Benedict XVI understands the young as Pope John Paul the Great had. He recognizes the hunger of the young for the Truth. He appreciates that the young want to give themselves over to a cause greater than themselves. They want to change the world. They have that natural compassion that innocents have before the world teaches them weariness. Pope John Paul the Great took them seriously as a people that yearned for the heroic, and he expected heroic virtue from them. Pope Benedict XVI gives signs that he shares this expectation. Why else does he believe that WYD "could help create 'true disciples'"?

The young will respond to the Pope if he takes their desire for greatness seriously. The Pope gives every indication that he will. I predict that this year's WYD will be an immense success. It will be different than previous WYDs, for Pope Benedict XVI is not JPG, however similar their worldviews happen to be. That's fine. Pope Benedict XVI will connect with the young in his own way. He desires to share the gospel with them. He expects that they'll take the gospel seriously. The young will respond to Pope Benedict's disposition. The transformation of Church that JPG helped to initiate will continue with PBXVI. God be praised!