Pope calls on young to be missionaries

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VATICAN CITY, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI called on young Catholics Friday to make a "missionary commitment" and said one way to do it is on the Internet.

The pope's appeal was in a message that invites people to take part in World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro next year, ANSA reported.

"So many young people no longer see any meaning in their lives. Go forth! Christ needs you, too. Let yourselves be caught up and drawn along by his love," Benedict said.

"I would like to emphasize two areas where your missionary commitment is all the more necessary: Dear young people, the first is the field of social communications, particularly the world of the Internet. The second area is that of travel and migration ... Here too we can find providential opportunities for sharing the Gospel."

Benedict said that globalization must be based on love, not money and consumerism, ANSA reported.

"We are passing through a very particular period of history. Technical advances have given us unprecedented possibilities for interaction between people and nations," the pope said.

"But the globalization of these relationships will be positive and help the world to grow in humanity only if it is founded on love rather than on materialism. Love is the only thing that can fill hearts and bring people together. God is love. When we forget God, we lose hope and become unable to love others."