This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
World Youth Day
12/08/2005
First Minister Jack McConnell today joined Cardinal Keith O'Brien to meet a group of young Scots travelling to Cologne for World Youth Day.
Over 400,000 young people from all over the world have been invited by Pope Benedict XVI to Cologne for the 20th pilgrimage of faith. Mr McConnell met 40 of the young Scots as they left from Edinburgh.
The First Minister said:
"I am sure this is going to be a fantastic event for all of the young Scots involved.
"Over 400,000 people will be there and this is a chance to meet new people, and to learn about their backgrounds, their lives and their beliefs.
"I am constantly impressed with the talent and enthusiasm of young people I meet when I travel around Scotland. And it is great to see young, outward looking people in Scotland taking this opportunity. I am sure they will want to be tremendous ambassadors for Scotland."
World Youth Day is on the 18th August 2005. However, there is a whole week of activities from 15th - 21st August.
This is the 20th World Youth Day. The first was in 1984 and was founded by Pope John Paul II.
Over 400,000 people have registered for this year's event. Young people from communities all over Scotland have been invited. Around 400 Scots will be attending.
This the first event outside Italy that Pope Benedict XVI has undertaken.