The gift of an Indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on the occasion of the 20th World Youth Day, going on pilgrimage to or arriving in Cologne, take part in the sacred rites, as well as to all the other faithful, wherever they may be, as long as they pray to God, during this event, to help young Christians strengthen their faith and lead a holy life.

The Apostolic Penitentiary has recently received requests from the sacred Pastors responsible for the spiritual care of youth groups that these young people may obtain the hoped-for fruits of sanctification from their Meeting — this year called the "20th World Youth Day" — which will be taking place from 16 to 21 August in Cologne, where, gathered around Pope Benedict XVI, the Vicar of Christ, they will take part in the sacred celebrations and especially receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. In receiving the sacrament of Penance with a sincere and humble heart, the young people will foster their desire to lead a holier life and make reparation to God for their own sins and for those of the whole world. In receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist as worthily as possible, they will witness to their love for Christ the King of the Universe and will increase and express it in works of fervent charity and a deeply committed universal apostolate. The very presence of the Supreme Pontiff among the young people in Cologne will express and encourage this.

Having explained these points to the Holy Father, the Apostolic Penitentiary has been endowed with special faculties to proclaim with this Decree the gift of the Indulgence, according to the mind of the same Supreme Pontiff, as follows.

A Plenary Indulgence is conceded on the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayers for the Supreme Pontiff's intentions) to members of the faithful who, in a spirit of total detachment from any sin, will take part attentively and devoutly in some of the celebrations for the 20th World Youth Day in Cologne and in its solemn conclusion. A Partial Indulgence will be granted to other members of the faithful, wherever they may be at the time of the aforesaid Meeting, if, at least with a contrite heart, they ask God with fervent prayers to strengthen young Christians in the profession of the Faith, to reinforce their love and respect for their parents, and to firmly commit themselves to shaping, in accord with the holy norms of the Gospel and Mother Church, the new family that they themselves will form or have formed, or their own life in accordance with the vocation that God has indicated to each one.

The present Decree is valid during this event. Despite any disposition to the contrary.
Given in Rome at the Apostolic Penitentiary, 2 August 2005, the pious Memorial of the "Portiuncola"

Cardinal James Francis Stafford
Major Penitentiary

Fr Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv.
Regent

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