World Youth Day Cross begins its Pilgrimage to Madrid 2011, after the WYD Pilgrim Cross was officially passed on by the Australian youths to the Spanish youths. Every year, during Palm Sunday, the Pope Celebrates World Youth Day with youths all over the world in St. Peter’s Square. This year, it is the Spanish youths’ turn to hold the miraculous wooden cross.

Following Palm Sunday’s Mass and before praying the Angelus, a brief ceremony took place during which a group of young Australians handed the World Youth Day cross and icon to a group of Spanish youth.

First, however, the Holy Father reminded those present how the United Nations has designated 4 April as the Day “to raise awareness about the problem of anti-personnel mines. Nearly ten years since the convention banning this form of ordinance came into force, and following recent openings with the signing of the convention banning cluster munitions, I wish to encourage countries that have not already done so to sign without delay these important instruments of international humanitarian law, to which the Holy See has always given its backing. At the same time I express my support for all measures that seek to guarantee the victims of such devastating arms the assistance they need”.

“With great anguish”, Benedict XVI also recalled, “our African brothers and sisters who a few days ago met with death in the Mediterranean as they sought to reach Europe. We cannot resign ourselves to such tragedies which have, unfortunately, been happening for some time. The size of the phenomenon makes it ever more important to co-ordinate strategies between the European Union and African countries, and to adopt adequate humanitarian measures to prevent migrants turning to unscrupulous traffickers. As I pray for the victims, that the Lord may welcome them into His peace, I would like to note that this problem, further aggravated by the global crisis, will find a solution only when the people of Africa, with the help of the international community, are able to free themselves from poverty and wars”.

Turning then to the 150 delegates (bishops, priests and lay people) who have been participating in an international meeting on World Youth Days organised by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Pope noted: “Thus begin the preparations for the next world gathering of young people, which will take place in 2011 in Madrid, Spain, and for which I have already indicated the theme: ‘Rooted and built in Christ, established in the faith’ (Col 2, 7).

“As is traditional”, he added, “the young Australians will soon consign the World Youth Day cross to young Spaniards, the ‘pilgrim cross’ which carries the message of Christ’s love to all the young people of the world. This handing-over ceremony has a highly symbolic value with which we express our immense gratitude to God for the gifts received at the great meeting of Sydney, and for those He will grant us at the gathering in Madrid”.

The Holy Father concluded his remarks by noting how tomorrow the WYD cross, accompanied by the icon of the Virgin Mary, will depart for the Spanish capital where it will be present at the Good Friday procession. It will them begin a long pilgrimage across the dioceses of Spain, returning to Madrid for summer 2011. “May this cross and this icon of Mary be for everyone a sign of the invincible love of Christ and of His – and our – Mother!”

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered on Palm Sunday after Palm Sunday Mass, before praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square. During his address, a delegation from Sydney handed over the World Youth Day Cross to a group of young people from Madrid:

Yesterday, April 4, the U.N.’s 4th international day for increasing anti-personnel mine awareness was observed. At the present moment, ten years after the treaty banning the use of these devices came into effect, and after the treaty banning cluster bombs was recently presented for signatures, I would like to encourage the countries who have still not yet done so to sign without delay these important instruments of international humanitarian law, which the Holy See has always supported. Moreover, I express my support for any measure intended to guarantee necessary assistance for the victims of these devastating weapons.

Furthermore, I would like to remember, with deep sorrow, our African brothers and sisters, who met their deaths a few days ago in the Mediterranean Sea, while they were trying to find refuge in Europe. We cannot resign ourselves to such tragedies that, unfortunately, repeat themselves time and time again! The phenomenon’s dimensions make coordinated strategies between the European Union and African countries more and more urgent, as well as the adoption of adequate humanitarian measures to impede migrants having recourse to lawless traffickers. As I pray for the victims, that the Lord welcome them into his peace, I would like to observe that this problem, subsequently aggravated by the global crisis, will be solved only when African populations can relieve themselves from suffering and wars with the help of the international community.

I now address a special greeting to the 150 delegates — bishops, priests and lay people — who in recent days participated in the international meeting on the World Youth Days, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Thus, there begins the journey of preparation toward the next international gathering of youth, which will take place in August 2011 in Madrid. I have already indicated its theme: “Rooted and Built Up in Christ, Solid in Faith,” which is taken from Colossians 2:7. As is tradition, the young people from Australia will give to the young people from Spain the World Youth Day cross, the “pilgrim cross,” which brings the message of Christ to all the youth of the world. This “passing on of witness” takes on a highly symbolic value, with which we express immense gratitude to God for the gifts received at the great meeting in Sydney and for those that we will receive at the meeting in Madrid. Tomorrow the cross, accompanied by the icon of the Virgin Mary, will depart for the Spanish capital, and will be present there for the great Good Friday procession. After this a long pilgrimage through the dioceses of Spain will begin, and will end again in Madrid in the summer of 2011. May this cross and this icon of Mary be for all a sign of Christ’s invincible love and that of his and our Mother!

[The Pope greeted the pilgrims in various languages. In English, he said:]

I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors here this Palm Sunday, when we recall the humble entry into Jerusalem of Jesus, our King and Messiah. With vivid memories of my visit to Sydney for World Youth Day, I greet Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, and Bishops Anthony Fisher and Julian Porteous, Auxiliary Bishops of Sydney, who are here together with a large group of young Australians in order to consign to their counterparts from Madrid the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady. May the great events of Holy Week strengthen your faith and inspire you to be humble witnesses of charity. Upon each of you present and your families, I invoke God’s blessings of peace and wisdom.

And now let us accompany with prayer the handing over of the Cross.

[After the ceremony of the handing over of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon, he said:]

And now we turn with faith to the Virgin Mary, so that she will always watch over the path of the young and that she will help us to live Holy Week well.

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