Bishop Renato Boccardo, organizer of papal trips and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, clarified the information published by a news service on Wednesday and subsequently reported by ZENIT.
At a press conference that day, the prelate said: «The Pope’s trip to Cologne is, for the time being, the only one confirmed for the year 2005, but it doesn’t mean that there are not and will not be others.»
Bishop Boccardo explained that John Paul II will arrive in Germany on Thursday, Aug. 18, and will be received by a welcome ceremony.
On Saturday, Aug. 20, the Holy Father plans to preside at a prayer vigil with young people from all over the world, and on Sunday he will preside at the closing Mass of World Youth Day.
