Vatican City, Jul 7, 2008 / 10:33 am (CNA).-
Pilgrims at World Youth Day and those from around the world who pray for the 'spiritual goals of this meeting and for its happy outcome," will be able to receive indulgences, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
According to a decree signed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford and Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, respectively penitentiary major and regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Pope Benedict XVI will grant two types of indulgences for the international gathering of youth.
Those who "gather at Sydney, Australia, in the spirit of pilgrimage" to participate in celebrations for 23rd World Youth Day, will be able to receive a full or plenary indulgence, the decree says. Partial indulgences will be available to "all those who, wherever they are, will pray for the spiritual goals of this meeting and for its happy outcome."
Catholics believe that due to Jesus' granting of the powers to "loose and bind" to St. Peter in Mt. 16, the Pope, who is Peter's successor, can grant indulgences to the faithful. An indulgence erases the temporal punishment that results from sin.
"Hence, this year, from 15 to 20 July, in Sydney, 'in the great southern land of the Holy Spirit' (according to the expression of John Paul II), will celebrate the 23rd World Youth Day, with the theme: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.'
"Indeed," the decree adds, "young people gathered around the Vicar of Christ will participate in the sacred functions and above all have recourse to the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. In the Sacraments received with a sincere and humble heart, they will earnestly desire to strengthen themselves in the Spirit, and, confirmed by the Chrism of salvation, will openly witness the faith before others even to the ends of the earth. May God grant that the very presence of the Supreme Pontiff among the young people gathered in Sydney express and render it such."
