Nairobi — Hundreds of young Catholics from various dioceses gathered in Nairobi to launch Pope Benedict XVI's message for World Youth Day 2006.

The coadjutor Archbishop of Nyeri, John Njue, led the celebrations during a national youth mass on Sunday, March 12, at Mji Wa Furaha.

The theme of the pope's message is: "Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet and a Light to My Path." The 21st World Youth Day will be observed on Palm Sunday, April 9.

The pope encourages young people to get to know Christ by reading the Bible. "By reading it, you will learn to know Christ," the message reads, quoting an expression by St Jerome: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."

"Reading, study and meditation of the Word should then flow into a life of consistent fidelity to Christ and his teachings", Pope Benedict says.

"To build your life on Christ, to accept the word with joy and put its teachings into practice: This, young people of the third millennium, should be your program!"

Commenting on the pope's message, Archbishop Njue said that the pope wants to see the youth live as good Christians. "Every youth should read, ponder and live the message."

"Remain firm in your faith no matter what difficulties you face. Don't face them alone but face them with the Lord. If the Lord is for us, who can be against us?"

The national youth mass was the first this year and was animated by the Archdiocese of Nyeri.