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"New generations have been entrusted with the future of the planet, where we can see clear signs of a new development which the delicate balance of nature has not always known to protect," Benedict said during a solemn mass.

"Before it is too late, courageous decisions have to be made to enable us to restore the strong bond between man and Earth," he added.

The pope on Saturday travelled to Loreto, a popular place of pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary has been hosting a major biennial youth gathering since 1984.

His predecessor John Paul II also participated in one of the meetings in the past.

During the celebration of the Eucharist, Benedict also called on young people not to succumb to the influence of the mass media.

"Be alert! Be critical! Do not just follow the wave produced by this powerful persuasion machine," the pope said.

He also reminded the participants of next year's World Youth Day, to be held in Sydney and where the pope plans to attend the opening. The motto "preserving the creation" and protection of the environment will be mayor themes at the event.

On Saturday evening the pope held a prayer vigil with around 300,000 young people and called on them never to give up the quest for the meaning of life.

"None of you must feel excluded; no life is unimportant and futile. On the contrary: you all have to feel important," he said.

Loreto is home to the Casa Santa from Nazareth - the house where Catholics believe the annunciation of Jesus' birth happened and where Jesus grew up.

According to legend, angels bore the house from the Holy Land - covering present-day Israel and the Palestinian territories - when it was attacked by the Saracens. They first put it down near Rijeka in Croatia before it found its way into a laurel grove in Italy in 1294.

The name Loreta is likely derived from the Latin word "Laureatum," referring to the laurel grove. In 1507 Loreto was officially accepted as a place of pilgrimage by the Catholic Church. //DPA