The World Youth Day celebration, which closed yesterday in Brazil, remains relevant to young people, particularly to those seeking answers about their faith.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila said today's youth “are looking for deep answers regarding the many questions of people, especially when it comes to faith.”
The prelate made the statement at the closing Mass for the Philippine celebration of World Youth Day in Manila, attended by thousands of young Catholics.
Tagle said the center of the celebration has always been faith. "It’s not true that youth are only after temporary happiness," he said.
Pope Francis exhorted young Catholics at the close of celebrations in Rio de Janiero on Sunday to go out and spread their faith "to the fringes of society."
Tagle said the World Youth Day event has become more relevant because of the friendships formed during the celebration.
"In a world where there is a lot of divisiveness, we see the youth from different nations gather together and become friends with each other," he said.
The local World Youth Day celebration was organized for young Catholics who were not able to attend the Rio celebration.
The next World Youth Day will be held in the Polish city of Kraków in 2016.