Address of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the Departure Ceremony
(Cologne Airport, 21 August 2005)
At the conclusion
of this, my first visit to Germany as the Bishop of Rome and the Successor of Peter,
I must express once again my heartfelt gratitude for the welcome given to me, to my
collaborators and especially to the many young people who came to Cologne from every
continent for this World Youth Day. The Lord has called me to succeed our beloved
Pope John Paul II, whose inspired idea it was to initiate the series of World Youth
Days. I have taken up this legacy with joy, and I give thanks to God for giving me
the opportunity to experience in the company of so many young people this further
step along their spiritual pilgrimage from continent to continent, following the Cross
of Christ.
I am grateful to all those who have so effectively ensured that
every phase of this extraordinary gathering could take place in an orderly and serene
fashion. These days spent together have given many young men and women from the whole
world the opportunity to become better acquainted with Germany. We are all well aware
of the evil that emerged from our homeland during the Twentieth Century, and we acknowledge
it with shame and suffering. During these days, thanks be to God, it has become quite
evident that there was and is another Germany, a land of singular human, cultural
and spiritual resources. I hope and pray that these resources, thanks, not least,
to the events of recent days, may once more spread throughout the world! Now young
people from all over the world can return home enriched by their contacts and their
experiences of dialogue and fellowship in the different regions of our homeland.
I am certain that their stay, marked by their youthful enthusiasm, will remain as
a pleasant memory with the people who have offered them such generous hospitality,
and that it will also be a sign of hope for Germany. Indeed one can say that during
these days Germany has been the centre of the Catholic world. Young people from every
continent and culture, gathered in faith around their Pastors and the Successor of
Peter, have shown us a young Church, one that seeks with imagination and courage to
shape the face of a more just and generous humanity. Following the example of the
Magi, these young men and women set out to encounter Christ, in accordance with the
theme of this World Youth Day. Now they are returning to their own regions and cities
to testify to the light, the beauty and the power of the Gospel which they have experienced
anew.
I must also express thanks to all who have opened their hearts and
their homes to the countless young pilgrims. I am grateful to the government authorities,
to the political leaders and the various civil and military departments, as well as
the security services and the many volunteer organizations which have put so much
effort into the preparation and realization of each of the initiatives and events
of this World Youth Day. A special word of thanks goes to all who planned the moments
of prayer and reflection, as well as the liturgical celebrations, eloquent examples
of the joyful vitality of the faith that animates the younger generation in our time.
I would also like to express my gratitude to the leaders of other Churches and ecclesial
Communities, and to the representatives of other religions who wished to be present
at this important meeting. I express my hope that we can strengthen our common commitment
to train the younger generation in the human and spiritual values which are indispensable
for building a future of true freedom and peace.
My deep gratitude goes to
Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne, the Diocese that hosted this international
meeting, to the Bishops of Germany, led by the President of the Bishops’ Conference,
Cardinal Karl Lehmann, to the priests, to men and women religious, and to the parish
communities, lay associations and movements who have devoted such energy to helping
the young people present to reap the spiritual fruits of their stay. I offer a special
word of thanks to the young people from Germany, who in a variety of ways have helped
to welcome other young people and to share with them moments of faith that have been
truly memorable. I hope that this event will remain impressed on the life of Germany’s
Catholics and will be an incentive for a renewed spiritual and apostolic outreach!
May the Gospel be received in its integrity and witnessed with profound conviction
by all Christ’s disciples, so that it becomes a source of authentic renewal for all
of German society, thanks also to dialogue with the different Christian communities
and the followers of other religions.
Finally, my respectful and cordial greetings
go to the political, civil and diplomatic authorities present at this departure ceremony.
In particular I thank you, Mr Chancellor, and I ask you kindly to convey my deep gratitude
to the President of the Republic, the members of the Government and all the German
people. Filled with the emotions and memories of these days, I now return to Rome.
Upon all of you I invoke God’s abundant blessings for a future of serene prosperity,
harmony and peace.