” “"I really hope the European politicians pay attention to what is happening these days in Cologne. Hundreds of thousands of young people met in a great international environment. The building of a united Europe also passes along this road": Monsignor André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris, told Sir about his hopes after the WYD. "The German President he continued spoke about citizens as brothers and sisters during the meeting with the Pope. However, this is not possible if there are no mothers and fathers… The value of universal brotherhood takes shape if one puts the queston of transcendent fatherhood". Then on addressing the journalists present in the press hall of the WYD, Monsignor Vingt-Trois added: "All this is important also for your job as communicators. Could you speak of the World Youth day disregarding the existence of God?".
Another figure to talk about the theme of building Europe was Monsignor Jean-Pierre Ricard, Archbishop of Bordeaux: "here in Cologne we have an example of how one can achieve real and deep European unity, which comes from meeting other people. These young people can be an example for us. There is the whole of Europe at the WYD, East and West together. Today’s Europe already sees the sharing of strong values, but these need to be renewed and be constantly nurtured. Therefore from a source, which can become faith in Christ, with roots in the Gospel".
