Pope sends greetings to Lednica 2000 Youth Meeting in Poland

Lednica at night

Pope Francis has sent greetings to the 20th Lednica 2000 Youth Meeting which will take place on Saturday in Poland.

The Lednica meeting was started by Father Jan Góra, OP, in 1997, and has become the largest annual gathering of Catholic young people in the world.

This year's 20th meeting - which take place near Lake Lednica, the traditional site of the baptism of the first Polish king, Mieszko I in AD 966 -- is of special significance because of the convergence of several events: The Jubilee Year of Mercy, the 1050th anniversary of the 'Baptism of Poland', the 800th anniversary of the foundation of the Dominican Order, and the upcoming World Youth Day in Krakow. It will also be the first Lednica Youth Meeting without Father Jan, who died on 21 December 2015 at the age of 67.

The theme of the meeting is simply "Amen."

Pope Francis sent his greetings during his address to Polish-speaking pilgrims at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square.

"Dear friends, together you want to raise your voices and say, sing, and dance your 'Amen'. This is your confirmation of personal faith in Christ whom your ancestors received together in baptism 1050 years ago," Pope Francis said.

"Following the example of Mary, whose life was completely permeated by the glory of God, in the Holy Spirit repeat every day your 'Amen - so be it!'" - the Pope continued - "May the memory of Father Jan, the founder of your meetings who is now with the Lord, inspire you on the path of faith and bless the hearts of you and your pastors. Praised be Jesus Christ!"

See the Lednica website (in Polish - but there's a film of this year's anthem too) here: www.lednica2000.pl/lednica2016/