Sep 25, 2011 / 21:08 pm
Pope Benedict XVI used his departure from German soil to reflect upon his four-day state visit to his homeland and to express confidence in the future of Christianity there.
“I encourage the Church in Germany to pursue with resolute confidence the path of faith which leads people back to their roots, to the heart of the Good News of Christ,” said the Pope at Lahr Airport on Sept. 25.
Pope Benedict said that he hoped the past four days would reverse the societal trend of the past few decades to “remove religion from people’s lives.”
“This gives me confidence for the future of Christianity in Germany. As in previous visits, it was clear how many people here are bearing witness to their faith and making its transforming power present in today’s world.”
He said that he had particular cause for optimism given the presence of “large numbers of young people” at Saturday’s youth vigil in Freiburg.