Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – Benedict XVI "invokes the help of Mary taken up into Heaven, especially for youths participating in the World Youth Day" and he has expressed hope that all participants will be able to "follow the example of the Magi to meet Christ present especially in the Eucharist and that they will later take off for their cities and nations of origin with the dynamic intention of testifying to the news and the joy of the Gospel".

After reciting the Angelus, the Holy Father drew attention to the victims and the population of Cyprus, struck by an airline disaster, assuring families of his closeness and prayers.

Here are the words of the pope:

Dear brothers and sisters!

On today's feast of the Assumption, we contemplate the mystery of the passing of Mary from this world to Paradise: we may say we celebrate her "Easter". Just as  Christ rose from the dead with his glorified body and ascended into heaven, the Blessed Virgin, fully associated with him, was taken up into heavenly glory in her whole person. Even in this, the Mother followed her Son more closely and went before all of us. By the side of Jesus, the new Adam, who is "the first fruits" of the resurrected (cfr 1 Cor 15:20-23), the Madonna, the new Eve, appears as the "first fruits and image of the Church" (preface), "a sign of sure hope" for all Christians on earthly pilgrimage (cfr Lumen gentium, 68).

The feast of the Assumption, so dear to popular tradition, is for us believers a useful occasion to meditate about the true sense and value of human existence from the perspective of eternity. Dear brothers and sisters, heaven is our final home. From there Mary encourages us with her example to welcome the will of God and not to allow ourselves to be seduced by false calls of all that is ephemeral and transient, not to give in to temptations of egoism and evil which snuff out the joy of life in the heart.

I invoke the help of Mary who was taken up into Heaven, especially for youths participating in World Youth Day, both those who are leaving German dioceses where they have been hosted for some days, as well as those who are coming directly from their countries to meet today in Cologne.

God willing, I will join them on Thursday so we may live together this extraordinary church event. The peak of World Youth Day will be the solemn Vigil held on Saturday night and the Eucharistic Celebration on Sunday 21 August. May the Blessed Virgin enable all who are taking part to follow the example of the Magi to meet Christ present especially in the Eucharist and to take off later for their cities and nations of origin with the dynamic intention of testifying to the news and joy of the Gospel.

I wish to express my spiritual closeness to the dear population of Cyprus, sorely tried by the airline crash which led to the death of 121 people. I entrust to the Lord the victims of the disaster, who include 48 children returning from holidays on the Island, and I assure them I will remember them especially in my prayers, the deceased, their relatives and all those who are suffering because of this tragedy.