April 19, 2005

World Youth Day delighted about new pope

(Cologne, 19.04.2005)

The Secretary-General of the XX World Youth Day 2005, prelate Dr. Heiner Koch, issued the following statement on the election of the new pope:

‘We are filled with gratitude and joy about the election of our new Holy Father, Benedict XVI. The decision in favour of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger points the way for our Church. We know that our new Holy Father will continue along the path trodden by his predecessor and that in him, we have a man who will assume the great responsibility before God of leading the Church.
We look forward with anticipation to the day of his solemn inauguration. Soon after, we will travel to Rome to speak with the Holy Father and the Pontifical Council for the Laity about the continuing preparations for the XX World Youth Day 2005. We look forward to meeting the Pope while we are there.

The Holy Father can be assured of our prayers. We are grateful for the news from Rome and are convinced that the Pope will build a close and deep relationship to the young.’

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