This is a busy weekend in Rome - Saturday is the beatification of Pope John Paull II, whom we have to thank for the creation of World Youth Day.

Should you have a few moments, take some time to read the statements and homilies from Pope John Paul II at various WYDs.

2008 in Sydney

2005 in Koln

2002 in Toronto

2000 in Rome

or the very first

"Young people expect a difficult, but at the same time absorbing task: to change the underlying mechanisms, that promote selfishness and opression in the relationships between nations, an to create new structures that aim for truth, solidarity and peace."

-Pope John Paul II in his Easter message 1985,

together with the announcement to establish

World Youth Day as a permanent event