Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 14, 1993 TAG: 9308140010
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DENVER LENGTH: Medium
The pope, on the second day of his U.S. visit for World Youth Day, appeared in good spirits as he greeted American bishops summoned to Denver to show the Roman Catholic Church's concern for a difficult-to-reach generation that has shown a declining interest in some religious practices.
As American bishops left the cathedral to meet with youths from their home dioceses, the pope met briefly with youngsters at a high school. Then he retreated to the Rocky Mountains for a day of hiking and rest at Camp St. Malo, near Estes Park, Colo.
The 73-year-old pope, an avid mountain climber in his youth, was flown by helicopter to the church retreat center northwest of Denver at 9,200 feet above sea level. His spokesman said he expected John Paul would take a long hike.
In his homily Friday morning, John Paul told the bishops to be sure their words and actions convey to young people that the church is in communion with God, and is not just a human institution.
"These are the days in which the light of the Gospel must shine before them with a particular brilliance," John Paul said.
"The church of the third millenium needs to be firmly planted in the heart of the new generation of the sons and daughters of the living God."
In his only other scheduled event Friday, the pope was to appear by satellite hookup at a Stations of the Cross held at Mile High Stadium in Denver.
Youths from the United States make up about 70 percent of the 150,000 young Catholics at the weeklong gathering for pilgrims from 70 nations.
The Catholic Church's record with youth is mixed in the United States. This generation is less likely than past generations to attend Mass or receive sacraments such as confirmation.
But many report a strong attachment to the church, taking roles that would have been improbable 25 years ago, such as serving on parish councils or distributing communion as eucharistic ministers.
Participants in an International Youth Forum preceding World Youth Day said young people desire an even greater role in the church.
"We have to give them a sense of belonging," Archbishop Rembert Weakland of Milwaukee said Friday outside the cathedral.
If youth at the gathering have misgivings about their perceived junior role in the church, they have shown unabashed admiration toward the charismatic pontiff.
Some 90,000 youths had Mile High Stadium shaking with foot-stomping and applause at the papal welcome Thursday night. Their mood was so infectious that even a group of bishops raised arms to join them in "the wave," like crowds of sports fans.
Outside the cathedral Friday, several hundred youths chanted, "John Paul Two, we love you."
by CNB