One of the acts programmed for the newly elected Pontiff, Benedict XVI, is the journey to his homeland, Germany, to meet the youth from all around the world gathered for World Youth Day 2005 in the city of Cologne.

The journey, scheduled for August 16-21, was beckoned by John Paul II. Shortly after he passed away, the organizers, through the WYD general secretary, Heiner Koch, confirmed that the preparation activities for this huge event were still on the way.

The journey to Cologne could be one of the first Papal trips out of Italy.