Young people are key to the future, says Benedict

POPE Benedict XVI in his New Year’s homily yesterday praised young people as key to securing a future of hope despite what he called “shadows on the horizon of today’s world”.

In the splendour of St Peter’s Basilica, with ambassadors to the Holy See from dozens of countries seated in the front rows, the pontiff, wearing white vestments with gold- coloured trimmings, celebrated Mass on a day the Vatican dedicates to world peace.

“I would like to underline the fact that, in the face of the shadows that obscure the horizon of today’s world, to assume responsibility for educating young people in knowledge of the truth, in fundamental values and virtues, is to look to the future with hope,” the pontiff said.