Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Benedict XVI urged pilgrims to pray for a successful World Youth Day at his weekly general audience, during which he said looked forward to his departure for Madrid tomorrow.

Speaking to the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Papal Summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father asked all those present to unite themselves spiritually in prayer for the success of World Youth Day.

Pope Benedict made his request after the main Catechesis, during which he reflected on the need for spiritual quiet in order to discern the promptings of the Spirit, and offered Mary as the example of silent recollection and meditation that, he said, comes to us in the Christian tradition as ‘spiritual oration.’

“Day after day in the silence of ordinary life, Mary continued to treasure in her heart the wonderful events to which she was witness, even unto the ultimate trial of the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection,” the Pope said.

The Holy Father will fly to Madrid tomorrow to participate in World Youth Day celebrations, which culminate with an open-air Mass on Sunday.

Spanish police have arrested a Mexican chemistry student ahead of expected protests against WYD in Madrid this evening. He is being questioned after allegedly plotting to gas anti-Pope protesters.

Pilgrims already in Madrid took part in part in Catechesis sessions this morning after last night’s opening Mass celebrated by Madrid Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela in the Plaza de Cibeles. They are also absorbing the news that the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will host the next international celebration of World Youth Day, which will take place in 2013.

The next host city, traditionally announced by the Pope at the end of each World Youth Day, was confirmed this week by Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi, who said the date for the event was set a year early in order to avoid logistical conflicts with the World Cup which Brazil will host in 2014.

Picture below: Archbishop Timothy M Dolan of New York presents Catechesis to a group of WYD pilgrims in Madrid.