VATICAN, Aug. 21 (CWNews.com) - Asked to comment on the impact of the World Youth Day celebration, Vienna's Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn said it was «sensational.» Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi of Genoa said it was «joyful but very serious,» because the young people «believe in very great principles.» And Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini of Milan said it was «a great gift of the Holy Spirit to the city and to each one of us.»
When approached by the Italian news agency I Media, Cardinal Schoenborn observed that hundreds of thousands of young people had taken part in an event that could strengthen their faith and their apostolic zeal, since they had made their Jubilee pilgrimage and participated in the sacramental life of the Church. He said that Catholics should look forward to new vigor in the life of the Church.
Similarly, Cardinal Tettamanzi remarked that the young people visiting Rome «are not afraid to show their faith; one cannot fail to be impressed by that fact.» He predicted that the pilgrims visiting Rome in August 2000 would be «the leaven for lay society in all areas.»
Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update