Following the celebration of Vespers Saturday evening in the cathedral of Notre-Dame, the Pope greeted young people participating in a prayer vigil in preparation for tomorrow’s Mass, which is due to be celebrated on the esplanade of Les Invalides in Paris. See the whole story here

"All of you desire to love and to be loved! It is to God that you must turn, if you want to learn how to love, and to find the strength to love", he added.

The Pope then went on to invite the young "to meditate on the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation … which leads you into a mature faith life. It is vital for you to understand this Sacrament more and more in order to evaluate the quality and depth of your faith and to reinforce it. The Holy Spirit enables you to approach the mystery of God; He makes you understand Who God is. He invites you to see in your neighbours the brothers and sisters whom God has given you, in order to live with them in human and spiritual fellowship – in other words, to live within the Church. By revealing Who the crucified and risen Lord is for us, He impels you to bear witness to Christ".

"You need to speak about Christ to all around you, to your families and friends, wherever you study, work and relax. Do not be afraid! Have ‘the courage to live the Gospel and the boldness to proclaim it’. … Bring the Good News to the young people of your age, and to others as well. They know what it means to experience difficulty in relationships, worry and uncertainty in the face of work and study. They have experienced suffering, but they have also known unique moments of joy. Be witnesses of God, for, as young people, you are fully a part of the Catholic community. … The Church has confidence in you, and I want to tell you so!