SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 19, 2008 (Zenit.org).- At the end of the 23rd World Youth Day, Benedict XVI told the young people that he would see them again in Madrid in 2011.
After the Pope prayed the Angelus on Sunday just after noon local time, Cardinals George Pell of Sydney and Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, gave farewell addresses. And then, the Holy Father announced the location for the 24th World Youth Day.
"The time has come for me to say good-bye -- or rather, to say arrivederci," he said. "I thank you all for your participation in World Youth Day 2008, here in Sydney, and I look forward to seeing you again in three years' time. World Youth Day 2011 will take place in Madrid, Spain."
The large number of Spanish youth erupted in cheering and waving their national flags.
The Holy Father began to continue, saying, "Until then ..." But as the cheering had not abated, he chuckled. Finally, he began again: "Until then, let us continue to pray for one another, and let us joyfully bear witness to Christ before the world. May God bless you all."
