YOUTH DAY MESSAGE EMBRACED BY THE YOUNG

The eyes of the nation, and much of the Christian world, turned to Denver in recent days with the presence of Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day, an event held biennially somewhere on the planet, this year in the United States. While the pontiff draws attention wherever he travels, his reception by hundreds of thousands of people in this country was especially noteworthy. If a general impression exists that too many American young people lack values, the impression coming from the mountains of Colorado was something quite different.

Much of the news generated from World Youth Day centered on the pope's strong statements concerning abortion and birth control, subjects that American Catholics often struggle with. However, the overall message the pontiff delivered was one simply of love, of finding a moral center and being unafraid to follow one's beliefs in an often turbulent society. And in the multitude of young people who made the pilgrimage, including several hundred from Cape Girardeau and this region, he found an attentive group of listeners. When John Paul II lashed out at violence, substance abuse, pornography and promiscuity, the youth in attendance embraced his words, as if reaching out for some grounding of principles.

It was a pleasing sight, one that contrasts greatly with a casual and commonplace dismissal of aimless souls in the MTV generation. If the pilgrims who made their way to Denver seize the message of love offered by the pope, think of the impact all adults can have if they project this message to youth in their daily lives. In the aftermath of World Youth Day, it makes us realize we can all do a world of good.