Pope to lead Youth Day events

Pope John Paul II at the arrival ceremony Tuesday in Toronto

TORONTO, Canada (CNN) -- A frail but determined Pope John Paul II landed in Toronto Tuesday for a week of World Youth Day events to promote solidarity with tens of thousands of young people.

He was greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and church dignitaries after moving slowly down the steps of his plane.

The stop in Toronto is the beginning of an 11-day trip -- the pope's 97th abroad -- that also will take him to Guatemala and Mexico.

Once on the ground, the 82-year-old pontiff rode on a self-propelled platform that took him to a welcoming ceremony in a hangar a short distance away. Speaking in English and French, the pope thanked Chretien and other officials for holding World Youth Day.

"I am expressing a very, very heartfelt thank you for being here, and I am very grateful you are hosting World Youth Day in Canada," Pope John said. About 200,000 young people registered for the annual event.

RESOURCES Follow the pope's journey in the Americas  • Images from the pope's visit to Canada  • World Youth Day

The pope initiated World Youth Day in Rome in the mid-1980s after large turnouts at the 1984 Jubilee for young people and the 1985 gathering for the International Year of Youth in Rome. World Youth Day, held every year since 1986, is one of the pope's favorite activities.

"Young people from 100 countries have come to Toronto to celebrate and reaffirm their faith, and to do so in a spirit ... that recognizes and values the dignity of freedom for all peoples," Chretien told the pope in front of the crowd.

"We have seen what great things can be accomplished by widely diverse people in a society dedicated to freedom, tolerance and social harmony," the Canadian leader said.

Preparations for World Youth Day that began two years ago were capped Monday with a 160 feet cross erected at the 21.5-square-mile Mass site.

The tour is one of the longest of John Paul II's 23-year papacy and comes at a time of increase concern for his health.

"I was thrilled with the energy and the determination that the pope has. He clearly wants to make this World Youth Day a key part of his pontificate," Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Halifax said.

-- Correspondent Frank Buckley contributed to this report.