"The WYD is not expected to be a forum for ecumenical progress. The Pope cannot do this here. Other levels and other procedures are required, but there are no doubts that in one of his first statements, Benedict XVI confirmed he would pursue the ecumenical issue". Card. Karl Lehmann, President of the German Bishops’ Conference, said this at the press conference this morning in answering a question by a journalist who wanted to know about the presence of young Christians of other confessions at the WYD. "It is impossible to give a precise figure" answered the Cardinal recalling that the Pope will arrive in Germany to participate in the World Youth Day and to devote his attention to young people. But since this is his first visit abroad as Pope, Benedict XVI has also other visits on his agenda, like the appointments with the Jewish and Islamic communities of the town. The ecumenical dimension is an aspect of the WYD: the Cross, that arrived in Cologne today, has indeed been welcomed by some Evangelical and Orthodox Communities, and the Cologne event is being followed by the Taize Community. The Archbishop of Cologne then announced that the Pope will meet the seminarians in the church of St. Pantaleone. Originally, the meeting was to be held on Wednesday 17 August. But the Pope had it postponed to Friday 18 so that he too would be present.
