INTRODUCTION
In joy and gratitude — and on behalf of the Filipino people — I bid you welcome to Manila and the Philippines.

For the second time in 14 years, you kiss and bless this archipelago of 7,100 islands and 65 million people.

For more than a year now, we have been looking forward to this historic journey, which brings you to the Philippines to celebrate, together with young people everywhere, world youth day.

Your presence and this historic event make us exceedingly proud and grateful.

We are a young republic of less than a hundred years, whose people are also predominantly young. Yet our roots in Christianity are deep, dating back more than four centuries to the time when the cross of Christ was first planted in Asia. In a continent of great cultures and religions, we stand apart as the only predominantly Christian country in this part of the world.

Thus, it is a proud and blessed day when the vicar of Christ on Earth and thousands of young Catholic leaders visit our shores.
A BLESSING FOR THE PEOPLE
We know, your Holiness, that this journey has not been easy for you to make.

We can only reply to your goodwill by saying that we have made every effort to make your visit a happy one, and World Youth Day an event of renewal and hope.

Our homes and our hearts are open to you, and to all who join you in this pilgrimage of faith.

In preparing for this event, your Holiness, no group has been more assiduous and eager than the young people of the Philippines. From all over the country and all walks of life, tens of thousands of them have mobilized and organized themselves to welcome their peers from around the world, as they embark together on a spiritual journey that will culminate in your personal blessing.
A MESSAGE OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE
But, as we all know, this pilgrimage of the youth with your holiness is not exclusively a journey for the young.

It is a journey for parents as much as their children, and for all people who are united with its message of hope, faith and love.

And it is also a pilgrimage for our country, which commemorates four centuries of Christianity at the same time that our youth proclaim their allegiance to the faith.

We do not forget, your Holiness, that in 1981 you spoke to us of the obligation to preserve our Christian heritage and of the mission to forge peace, justice and human advancement in our society by “drawing light and energy from the Gospel.”

We have not always been successful in our endeavors for advancement, but we assure you that you visit today a land and a people much more hopeful and much more at peace than the one you visited 14 years ago.

Freedom and democracy reign again in our country. A significant measure of progress has come upon our land. We have intensified our efforts to uplift the poor among us and to fulfill our obligation to raise them to dignity in our society. And we have kept and preserved our Christian heritage.

We pray as we perform, and we perform as we pray.
THE FAMILY OF CHRISTIANITY
This journey is a continuing one, but your coming, your Holiness, and the celebration of the 10th World Youth Day among us, already strengthen us in meeting our goals for a brighter future.

More than ever, we are conscious that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves — the family of Christ on Earth.

Through you, your holiness, and through our Christian heritage, we are constantly renewed in the knowledge of God’s power and love reaching out to save us from failure and frustration and to help us achieve our noblest undertakings.

Again, your holiness, our warmest welcome to the Philippines!

Mabuhay ang ikalawang pagdating ninyo sa aming bansa!

Mabuhay ang Banal na Papa!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!