” “”Young people from East Germany expect words of faith and courage from the first big meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Cologne". These are the words of Father Arnd Franke, in charge of Berlin’s young pastoral. While leaving for Cologne to experience the focal WYD days, father Franke is very satisfied with the results of the twinship days in his diocese. "Young people came from Australia, the United States, Argentina, Chile, France, Spain, the UK told us the Berlin’s manager of the young pastoral -. It was a positive experience for everyone. In East Germany, Catholics are 5%: meeting devotees from all over the world has roused us". According to Father Franke, "the WYD is important because it enables people to really experience the universal Church, with so many boys and girls from different countries united by one single faith". The twinship days, during which parties, concerts, social events have been organised, have resulted in plenty of new worldwide friendships. "The contacts we have made over these days says Father Franke are extremely important for the future of our young pastoral. Now, we have friends all over the world, and we will do all we can not to lose them. In the diocese of Berlin, there are about a hundred parish churches, and many are thinking of reciprocating the visit next year by going and visiting their new friends in their countries".
