Pope gives message of love to students in Europe, Americas
VATICAN CITY (AFP) — Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday reached out to university students in 10 cities in Europe and the Americas, calling on them in a simultaneous broadcast to help build a "civilisation of love."
"Honest and sincere thought is needed, an examination of conscience ... to distinguish between that which builds the 'civilisation of love,' according to the design revealed by Jesus Christ, and that which opposes it," he said.
"Christianity is a strong and deep bond between the so-called Old Continent and what has been called the 'New World'," the 80-year-old pontiff said in the broadcast on the theme of "Europe and the Americas Together to Build a Civilisation of Love."
"Unfortunately, ... 'Western civilisation' has to some degree betrayed its evangelical inspiration," he said in the message beamed to thousands of students in Toledo, Spain; Aparecida, Brazil; Loja, Ecuador; Naples, Italy; Havana; Mexico City; Avignon, France; Washington; Bucharest and Minsk.
The pope made the remarks after leading the praying of the Rosary at a Marian prayer vigil to mark the sixth annual European Day for Universities.
"Today God is calling on you European and American young people to cooperate with your contemporaries throughout the world so that the lifeblood of the Gospels can renew the civilisation of these two continents and all of humanity," he said.
"Be builders of peace and unity," the pope urged in Italian before addressing brief remarks to the students in Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, Belarussian and Romanian, prompting cheers and applause from each audience in turn.
To students in Washington, where the pope plans a visit in April, he said: "With your assistance, may America remain faithful to its Christian roots and to its high ideals of freedom in truth and justice!"
