Pope Francis sends message of 'faith and fraternity' ahead of World Youth Day

Pope Francis will be setting off shortly for World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland Reuters

Pope Francis has sent a message of "faith and fraternity" to World Youth Day as he prepares to set off to Krakow in Poland to join in prayer and praise with hundreds of thousands of young Catholics.

World Youth Day begins next Tuesday with the final Mass the following Sunday.

Pope Francis says he is looking forward to meeting "the beloved Polish nation", the home country of his predecessor but one, Saint John Paul II, who began the World Youth Day tradition. They take place every three years with the last one in Rio.

In the video message,: "Dear young people of Poland, I know that for some time now you have been preparing, especially with your prayers, for this great encounter in Krakow. I thank you heartily for everything that you have done, and for the love with which you have done it. Even now I embrace you and I bless you."

He continues: "I am very anxious to meet you and to offer the world a new sign of harmony, from many races, languages, peoples and cultures, but all united in the name of Jesus, who is the Face of Mercy."

He praises Poland for perseverance "through the power of faith" during many crises and trials over the last century.

The moral and spiritual "health" of a nation is seen in its families, he says.

"That is why Saint John Paul II showed such great concern for engaged couples, young married couples and families. Continue along this road!"

As many as two million young adult Catholics are expected in Krakow over next week to celebrate World Youth Day with Pope Francis, who will conclude his trip to Poland with a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp.

James Kelliher, youth spokesman for London's Westminster diocese, is attending his third World Youth Day. He met his wife on the last one. Here he talks about the impact the event has had on his life.

related articles
Pope Francis to visit Auschwitz death camp
Pope Francis to visit Auschwitz death camp

Pope Francis to visit Auschwitz death camp

Pope Francis wants \'prayers and tears\' not a sermon at Auschwitz death camp
Pope Francis wants 'prayers and tears' not a sermon at Auschwitz death camp

Pope Francis wants 'prayers and tears' not a sermon at Auschwitz death camp

\'Rock star cardinals\' heading for Poland for World Youth Day, aka \'Glastonbury with God\'
'Rock star cardinals' heading for Poland for World Youth Day, aka 'Glastonbury with God'

'Rock star cardinals' heading for Poland for World Youth Day, aka 'Glastonbury with God'

Young Iraqi Christians to recite Lord\'s Prayer in Aramaic before Pope
Young Iraqi Christians to recite Lord's Prayer in Aramaic before Pope

Young Iraqi Christians to recite Lord's Prayer in Aramaic before Pope

News
Sex offender ‘manipulating’ system to stay in the UK as ‘Christian’ asylum seeker
Sex offender ‘manipulating’ system to stay in the UK as ‘Christian’ asylum seeker

Immigration judges found his history of sexual offences did not invalidate his claim to Christian conversion

Disappointment as St Albans council votes to end prayers before meetings
Disappointment as St Albans council votes to end prayers before meetings

A local Christian leader in the city of St Albans has criticized a vote by the council to scrap prayers before official meetings.

Who was St Joseph and what do we know about him?
Who was St Joseph and what do we know about him?

The 19th of March is St Joseph’s Day, which in some countries is known as Father’s Day, but who was St Joseph and what do we know about him? This is the story …

Calls for urgent policy reforms to address widening marriage gap between rich and poor
Calls for urgent policy reforms to address widening marriage gap between rich and poor

A new report released by the Marriage Foundation has called for urgent policy changes by the government to address what it describes as a "calamitous" marriage gap of 51 per cent between wealthy and low-income couples.