Pope to Attend Concert Marking 70th Anniversary of WWII

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI will attend a concert marking the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II being performed by young musicians from around the globe.

The Vatican says the Oct. 8 concert will feature music by Jewish-born composers Gustav Mahler and Felix Mendelssohn, and will be performed by the InterRegionales JugendsinfonieOrchester, which gathers young musicians from 10 nations.

Vatican official Cardinal Walter Kasper said Thursday the concert aims to involve in the "tragic memory" of the war "not just the generation that has lived through its horrors but also the youth."

The German-born Benedict has spoken out frequently about the horrors of the war. He was forced to serve in the Hitler Youth corps and later in the army before deserting.