APOSTOLIC VISIT TO TORONTO,
TO CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA AND TO CIUDAD DE MÉXICO

17th WORLD YOUTH DAY

GREETING BY THE HOLY FATHER JOHN PAUL II
TO THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE
OF THE WORLD YOUTH DAY,
TO BENEFACTORS, AND TO YOUNG PEOPLE
OF THE FIRST NATIONS

Toronto, Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph
Sunday July 28, 2002

Dear Friends,

I greet you all and thank you for coming to see me at the closing of the Seventeenth World Youth Day.

I am grateful above all to the Archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Ambrozic, who, together with Bishop Anthony Meagher, has guided the long preparations for this great event. My thanks also go to all those who by their dedication have made it a success, as well as to those who gave financial support.

I am happy to meet the young people of the First Nations from the land of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. You rightly call her kaiatano (most noble and worthy person). May she be an example to you of how Christians are to be the salt and light of the earth.

A special word of appreciation to the young, and not so young, members of the National Committee for the World Youth Day. I know how much generous effort you have put into the work of the past two years. In the name of all the young people who came to Toronto and have shared in the results of your work, the Pope says thanks!

Upon all of you, and upon your families, I invoke the blessings of Almighty God.