Dear Young People,

I am very pleased to be able to meet you today. For me you represent all the youth of Papua New Guinea, whom I love deeply and in whom I have great trust and confidence.

Since there is only time to greet you very briefly, I wish to leave you with just one thought. I wish to tell you how important Jesus Christ is for you, and how important you are for him.

Jesus is important for you because he is the Son of God who became man. He teaches you the deepest meaning of life: who you are and what life is all about. In knowing Jesus, in studying his teaching in the Gospels, you will also get to understand yourselves more fully.

And you are important for Jesus because he loves you and died for you, so that you might live the fullness of life, both here on earth and later on in heaven. Yes, you are very important for Jesus. And you are very important for me and for the whole Church.

You have a special mission to perform in life; there is a particular task marked out for each and every one of you. And to succeed in life you must remain united to Jesus; you must listen to him when he tells you: "Remain in my love" (Io. 15, 9).

Dear young people of Papua New Guinea: the meaning of life is found in Jesus Christ and in his love.