Pope rallies world youth.

Last month, hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholic youth from around the globe met in Madrid for World Youth Day (WYD) and to hear Pope Benedict XVI speak.  WYD is designed to reach Roman Catholic youth and bring “meaning” to their beliefs.  “The general consensus from those who have done research on them [WYD youth] is that World Youth Days tend to combine young people’s taste for stars and big events with a spiritual dimension.”

Testimonies show the results.  “‘I was really touched by the pope’s words,’ says Jonathan Meunier-Doyon, 16, of Quebec.  ‘What he said to us about Christ being a rock on whom we can build our lives has really moved me.’”  Stella, age 17, commented, “WYD has been the best experience of my life.  When I go home I’ll tell young people not to be afraid to follow Christ.”  Lupita Ramírez, 23, from Monterrey, Mexico observed, “We queued for five hours in the Plaza del Sol to see the Pope.  If every young person in the world followed Christ, it would be full of peace” (Times, August 27, 2011).  These comments reveal a desire in young people to understand the meaning of life and a need for encouragement to live their faith.

While the pope’s words appealed to the idealism of many young people, important details were not addressed.   The message of WYD only contains part of the truth—when the world does follow Christ, it will be full of peace!  However, the Scriptures reveal that human beings do not know the way to peace (Isaiah 59:8).  Real peace will only come with the return of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7) and when the world begins to follow the laws of God (Psalm 119:165).  Jesus also warned that at the end of the age many false teachers would use His name and talk of “peace” (Matthew 24:4-5; Jeremiah 8:11).

The real way to peace involves teaching young people God’s ways and His truth (Deuteronomy 11:18-21).  Youth, like all people, yearn for a hope for the future and to understand the purpose for life.  Sadly, today many grow up without real hope.  And although the pope provided some “hope” for those attending WYD this year, he was unable to reveal the real meaning of life or the true way to peace.  This will happen when Christ returns and the knowledge of God will cover the earth “as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).

For more information on this incredible hope, see our booklet Your Ultimate Destiny!