Catholics France

Tens of thousands of young Catholics from France, elsewhere in Europe and around the world have converged on Paris this week to rally around a faith that means less and less to their contemporaries and around an institution trying hard to use the millennium as an occasion for a Roman Catholic revival. As many as 300,000 young people are expected in this city in time to greet Pope John Paul II as he consecrates the 12th edition of one of his treasured innovations: World Youth Days.

Pope John Paul II offered tough challenges and affectionate encouragement Sunday to more than 1 million faithful attending Mass at a racetrack--one of the biggest crowds he has seen in years. In a spirited voice despite the wilting heat, the 77-year-old pontiff counseled young followers gathered at the closing ceremonies of World Youth Day to be strong in seeking meaning in life.

Pope John Paul II was greeted by thousands of flag-waving youths on the first day of a four-day rendezvous that will culminate with Catholic World Youth Day on Sunday. "Dear young people, the church believes in you," John Paul told an estimated crowd of 500,000 supporters gathered near the Eiffel Tower. "She is counting on you." John Paul was shaded by a white umbrella from the late afternoon sun during the first big rally of his visit.

Tens of thousands of young Catholics from France, elsewhere in Europe and around the world have converged on Paris this week to rally around a faith that means less and less to their contemporaries and around an institution trying hard to use the millennium as an occasion for a Roman Catholic revival. As many as 300,000 young people are expected in this city in time to greet Pope John Paul II as he consecrates the 12th edition of one of his treasured innovations: World Youth Days.

Pope John Paul II offered tough challenges and affectionate encouragement Sunday to more than 1 million faithful attending Mass at a racetrack--one of the biggest crowds he has seen in years. In a spirited voice despite the wilting heat, the 77-year-old pontiff counseled young followers gathered at the closing ceremonies of World Youth Day to be strong in seeking meaning in life.

When the Vatican summoned Bishop Jacques Gaillot to Rome, he was otherwise occupied. In fact, France's outspoken liberal prelate was in Haiti visiting President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, another priest who has had disputes with the Holy See. Call it an omen. Gaillot eventually made it to Vatican City, where he was dismissed last week as head of the diocese in Evreux, west of Paris, becoming the first French bishop since World War II to be so harshly disciplined.

Pope John Paul II was greeted by thousands of flag-waving youths on the first day of a four-day rendezvous that will culminate with Catholic World Youth Day on Sunday. "Dear young people, the church believes in you," John Paul told an estimated crowd of 500,000 supporters gathered near the Eiffel Tower. "She is counting on you." John Paul was shaded by a white umbrella from the late afternoon sun during the first big rally of his visit.