Vatican City (AsiaNews) More than 1000 Catholic youth of Baghdad and some Orthodox youth gathered yesterday in the Latin cathedral of the city to celebrate WYD "in a spirit of fraternal union" with the Pope and youth in Cologne.
They sent a telegram to Benedict XVI through the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq, Fernando Filoni, which was made public by the Holy See press office. The text reads as follows:
Message of Baghdad youth for the Holy Father:
Even we, young Christians of Baghdad, after adequate preparation and in a spirit of fraternal union with Your Holiness and thousands of youth in Cologne, wanted to celebrate the ongoing World Youth Day in prayer, reflection and joyous feasting.
We too have come together to know the Lord and to ask ourselves what he wants of us at such a difficult time for our country and for us. The exhortation of Jesus accompanies us: "Courage, do not be afraid", which Your Holiness put forward recently at the beginning of your pontificate. While we wish to send our affectionate greetings to youth in Cologne, we ask Your Holiness for apostolic blessing, and we accompany in spirit the celebrations in this city.
Youth participants of World Youth Day in Baghdad
