” “"I am accompanied by pleasant memories of the days spent in Germany on my flight back from Cologne to Rome. I thank you and all the citizens in my native country for the kind and cordial hospitality offered to me and to hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the world. I am pleased to remember in my prayers the intentions of each one of you and I implore for everybody an abundant benediction from God". This is the full text of the telegram message sent by Pope Benedict XVI to Horst Köhler, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, on leaving Germany for Rome at the end of the 20th WYD. On flying over Austria, the Pope sent a message to Heinz Fischer, President of the Federal Republic of Austria: "During my return trip from the pastoral care visit in Cologne for the 20th World Youth Day, I am flying over the sovereign territory of the Republic of Austria. I am pleased to send you Mr President and to all the people of Austria my best wishes". He also sent a telegram to Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of the Republic of Italy: "On the return from my first apostolic trip outside Italy which took me to my homeland, in particular to Cologne, where I thank God for the possibility I had to meet young people from all over the world ready to commit themselves to create a future rooted in those eternal christian values wrote the Pope, as soon as he arrived in Italy for this providential opportunity and I send my warm wishes to you, Mr President and to the beloved Italian Nation assuring a special prayer for everybody".
