Pope Benedict to join youth in native Germany for World Youth Day

Bishop Nienstedt and 18 pilgrims to make the journey

More than 800,000 young people are expected to join Pope Benedict XVI in his native Germany in August for World Youth Day. Among the pilgrims will be Bishop John C. Nienstedt and 18 others from the New Ulm diocese

The Pope announced his decision to attend World Youth Day at his April 20 Mass with cardinals in Rome saying he would travel to Rome in late April to make final preparations for the August 16-21 festival.

It has been reported that approximately 220,000 young people ages 16-30 had already registered for World Youth Day, which was expected to attract at least 800,000 from 120 countries.

The New Ulm group will depart on August 10, arriving in Frankfurt on August 11 and traveling to Ulm and Neu Ulm where they will stay from August 11-15. During these days plans are to participate in the “Days in the Diocese” and getting to know the local people and culture. From August 15-21 the group will participate in various activities of World Youth Day including the welcoming ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI; Way of the Cross and outdoor Mass with the Holy Father; and an all-night outdoor Prayer vigil. A "central feature" of the festival will be meetings at which young people would have a chance to "talk directly" with the Pope in small groups. Benedict XVI has said he wants special contacts with the world's youth - although he's continuing John Paul II's initiative giving this event his own special accent.

Up to 600 bishops and cardinals and 4,000 journalists are expected at World Youth Day, which will take place at 400 locations in the Cologne Archdiocese, as well as in nearby Bonn and Dusseldorf. Organizers appealed April 6 for 20,000 volunteers, as well as 1,320 team leaders and support managers to help with the festival.