"I would have liked to drive all through Marienfeld by Pope-car to be close to each one of you, but, for logistics reasons, this could not be done". These are the words of Benedict XVI, as he replied – off the cuff – to cardinal Meisner. Then, the Pope invited the young to feel "close" […]

Pilgrims queuing up at the Information Office at the central railway station of Cologne, or crowding around the Info Points, or roaming about the town, virtually emptied of youth and that has gone back to its normal life for a few hours: last-minute pilgrims were trying to find ways of getting to Marienfeld while the […]

"You belong to the young, and the young belong to you". In his address to the Pope at the closing Mass of the WYD, the archbishop of Cologne, Joachim Meisner, added: "So that the young and the Holy Father will not forget, we meet every two years in the WYD, somewhere in God’s fine world. […]

"All boys and girls together, from all the different religious backgrounds, can change the world and achieve great things together, provided we respect each other and above all we respect our different beliefs". These are the words of Clara Granero, 20, from Argentina, as she is getting ready for Mass. "I am very glad to […]

"The words uttered last night by the Pope have universal value. If we really followed his advice, there would be more unity and communion". The impression of Sylwia Kubat, 21, from Poland, is positive. Sylwia is also very happy about the bell dedicated to John Paul II at the beginning of the vigil and the […]

After the Mass, the Pope will leave Marienfeld for Cologne. After a stop at the archbishop’s palace, at 5 pm he will meet the German bishops in the city’s seminary, to whom he will address a welcome speech. At 6 pm, he will meet the organisers of the WYD 2005. Afterwards, he will be driven […]

Today, Sunday 21 August, is the final day of the 20th World Youth Day. Benedict XVI will be arriving at 9.15 at the Marienfeld area, "Mary’s field", where he will go round to greet the youth. The final celebration will begin at 10 in the presence of the Federal President, Horst Köhler, and of other […]

"Grazie per queste ore meravigliose che mi avete donato. Mi avrebbe fatto piacere percorre tutta Marienfeld con la Papa-mobile per essere vicino a ciascuno di voi ma, vista la situazione logistica, non è stato possibile". Così Benedetto XVI, rispondendo – a braccio – al saluto del card. Meisner. Il Papa ha, poi, aggiunto: "Libertà non […]

Questa mattina, Benedetto XVI si trasferisce in auto dall’arcivescovado di Köln alla spianata di Marienfeld per presiedere la Celebrazione Eucaristica a conclusione della XX Giornata Mondiale della Gioventù. La Santa Messa ha inizio alle ore 10.00. In apertura di celebrazione, l’Arcivescovo di Köln, Card. Joachim Meisner, rivolge al Papa un indirizzo di omaggio. Nel corso […]

"Lei appartiene ai giovani e i giovani appartengono a lei". Nel suo saluto al Papa alla messa conclusiva della Gmg, l’arcivescovo di Colonia Joachim Meisner, ha affermato ancora: "Affinché i giovani, ma anche il Santo Padre, non lo dimentichino, ci riuniamo ogni due anni nella Gmg, da qualche parte, nel bel mondo di Dio. Questa […]