TAIPEI (UCAN) -- Pope John Paul II has called on participants of the Second Asian Youth Day (AYD II) to "be fearless witnesses to the Gospel and builders of the civilization of love and truth."

The pope also assured his "prayerful support" in his message to 610 youth from 18 countries and territories in Asia, who gathered Aug. 12-17 for the biennial event at Fu Jen Catholic University, near Taipei.

The pope's message was sent to Sri Lankan Bishop Oswald Gomis of Anuradhapura, secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

The FABC Office of Laity and the Commission for Laity and the Youth Desk of the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference in Taiwan (CRBC) co-organized AYD II on the theme "You are called to Sanctity and Solidarity."

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, Monsignor Adolfo Tito Yllana, charge d'affaires of the Taipei-based Apostolic Nunciature in China, Archbishop Joseph Ti-Kang of Taipei and other Church officials participated in the opening ceremony Aug. 12 to welcome the youth delegates.

CRBC president Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi of Kaohsiung asked the youths to open up to the voice of the Holy Spirit. He also prayed that the young people will "say yes to Jesus" who is asking them to continue "his mission of love and service."

The delegates included youths from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Catholic youth delegates from the Netherlands and Italy as well as interreligious groups from India and Taiwan also joined as observers.

The Aboriginal Association of Fu Jen Catholic University, indigenous Rukai and Pancah tribals from Taiwan, performed cultural numbers before the official opening ceremony.

Capping the event was the AYD II theme song performed by Taipei archdiocese's Shophar Music Group and concluded with a brief review of the first AYD held in Thailand 1999.

Thematic discussions and activities formally began Aug. 13 with participants sharing their experiences on the "Host Families and Parish Experiences." The one-day cultural exchange program held before AYD II included a city tour and Mass in local parishes.

Delegates also staged Aug. 13 cultural performances and ended the day with a Taize Prayer session.

Meanwhile, Cardinal James Francis Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, in his message expressed hope that the AYD II will help Asian youth bear fruit and prepare them for the World Youth Day to be held in Toronto, Canada, July 23-28 next year.

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