It was a year ago that Benedict XVI traveled to Spain's capital to lead World Youth Day. The gathering brought together more than 2 million youths from all over the world, all of whom traveled to Madrid to celebrate their faith.

Even before World Youth Day was celebrated in Madrid, Benedict XVI described the gathering as a 'cascade of light.' Now, a year later, this is the title of a new World Youth Day book. The book, which is in Spanish, includes 224 photographs and all the speeches given by Benedict XVI.

On 2 April 2012, Pope Benedict XVI will meet with young people from Madrid, who will thank the Pope for choosing Madrid to host the last World Youth Day and, above all, for the fruits produced by his trip to Spain.

As we approach the end of the year, it is a good time to reflect on the largest Catholic event that marked 2011 - World Youth Day in Madrid! Do you remember Xt3's promo video for WYD? Watch it again as we recall the great moments of the Pope's visit to Madrid.

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In the midst of rainstorm at the Madrid prayer vigil, 27-year-old recalls, 'We were not afraid at all because we could see that the first one who was serene was the Holy Father. He transmitted a lot of serenity, a lot of calmness.'

As thunder, lightning and wind whipped through the World Youth Day prayer vigil this past August, Pope Benedict XVI was advised to leave the event three times. But he insisted that if the young people stayed, then he would too. The revelation comes from a young Honduran woman was who stood next to the Pope throughout the event.

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Take a look at the video highlights from Aussie Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid! See you in Rio in 2013...

Watch this video to find out how Catholic youth responded to the atheist, anti-pope march that took place on August 17, during World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid.

In this video, World Youth Day 2011 pilgrims explain why they like being Catholic! "We our Catholic because our religion is one of love, the one, true Church that Christ established, whose joy and strength is manifest in her youth, as in all her members."

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Pope Benedict XVI has sent a 'thank you' note to the Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela, assuring his gratitude to the people of Spain for his successful trip to their country for World Youth Day 2011. Visit this article to read more.

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