The thought of attending World Youth Day in Cologne was exciting enough when planning began last year, but after the election of Benedict XVI this spring, the idea of meeting the German pope in Germany is even more thrilling.

For many pilgrims, it is their first chance to see a pope. For most, it is the first time they’ll see Pope Benedict XVI.

The bake sales, car washes and other fundraisers have finished and about 150 young people and their chaperones will travel in a group organized by the Arlington Diocese. This group includes people from eight diocesan parishes and three local universities, in addition to groups from the Wilmington and Charleston/Wheeling dioceses.

Eight priests and 10 seminarians will accompany the youths.

More than 50 pilgrims will depart Dulles Airport on Aug. 9 to fly to Poland to walk "in the footsteps of John Paul II" before joining the rest of the hundreds of thousands of youths in Germany. The rest of the diocesan pilgrims will fly to Cologne on Aug. 14.

The official opening of religious services associated with World Youth Day will take place on Aug. 16 in Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf. Youth festivals, featuring more than 200 performers and artists from about 40 countries — will also be launched this day.

The following days will be spent in prayer, catechesis and opportunities for Mass and confession before the welcome service with Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday evening. On Friday, pilgrims will participate in the Way of the Cross, and on Saturday they will say goodbye to local parishes and depart for Marienfeld near Kerpen where the vigil with the pope will take place Saturday night, and Mass will be celebrated on Sunday morning.

Among the young people attending, more than 5,000 of them are expected to be seminarians. Pope Benedict has requested the chance to address them.

Deacon Charles Smith who is studying for the priesthood for the Arlington Diocese is especially excited about this chance to meet the Holy Father.

Smith attended World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002 and is looking forward to being in Cologne with the youths.

"It is a joy and thrill to me to see the youths respond to the Holy Father," he said. "It was really excited to see youths respond to John Paul II (in Toronto) and I’m sure they will respond to Benedict XVI."

In preparing for the pilgrimage to Cologne, Smith said he is "asking the Lord to open my heart so that I can be open to what I can do as a deacon to serve the youth in the diocese."

World Youth Day organizers expect approximately 400,000 visitors will register as pilgrims. They also expect thousands of day-visitors to attend the vigil, bringing the total number of attendees to 650,000. The final Mass with Pope Benedict XVI is expected to draw a total of 800,000 participants. About 600 bishops are expected to visit Cologne. Organizers estimate 4,000 journalists will report from Cologne on World Youth Day from Aug. 16 through 21.

For more information on World Youth Day, visit the official Web site at www.wjt2005.de/index.php?id=6&si=1. For the schedule for diocesan pilgrims go to www.arlingtoncatholicyouth.org/events/WYD2005.asp.