Dear friends,

After seven and a half years with the Pontifical Council for the Laity heading the Youth Section, my mission here came to an end on 30 September. These years spent at the service of young people were intense, rich and exciting times for me. The contribution of youth ministry and in particular the fruits of World Youth Day, as you well know, are very much needed for the Church and society. I am indebted to you for your much appreciated collaboration as it has helped me to know more about the beauty and great diversity of the countless youth ministry initiatives that take place in the five continents. All of these in their own way contribute to the impetus that the Pope and his collaborators wish to give to efforts to help the youth of the world to be courageous witnesses wherever they live and work.

Fr Eric Jacquinet will take my place heading the Youth Section and will continue this captivating mission with you in the service of the universal Church. I know him well as we are members of the same community, and I am certain that he will be willing to listen and be able to help you in your task.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one of you, especially those with whom I have had the pleasure of working most closely in recent years. I shall never forget your faces, and you will always be in my prayers.

Yours sincerely,

Msgr Francis Kohn

It gives me great pleasure to contact you from the Pontifical Council for the Laity Youth Section. I hope that we shall meet in the coming months, either around the time of Palm Sunday or on some other occasion. Please call in to see us if you are in Rome. If you are organising events in your country, please let me know. I shall do my best to go and visit you.

I am happy to join you in the service of the youth of our countries in order to accompany them in life with Christ.

With best wishes,

Fr Eric Jacquinet