General Chat

more for you, Claire:- Joy. Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in his native Germany for a Catholic youth festival in the city of Cologne. The Pope's plane was met by cheering crowds as it landed at Cologne-Bonn airport, where Germany's chancellor and president were waiting to greet him. The assembled crowds also performed a Mexican wave to welcome their visitor. It is the Pope's first major foreign trip since his election in April. The engagement was originally scheduled for his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. As he stepped out of the Alitalia plane the blustery wind blew off the Pope's white skullcap. He looked around for a moment to find it, but soon gave up and proceeded down the steps to the runway. he waved and smiled to the enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers gathered. Youngsters whooped, chanted 'Benedetto' - his name in Italian - as the Pope made his way along the red carpet flanked by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and President Horst Koehler. Addressing the crowd, Benedict XVI said he was delighted by the greeting and referred to Germany as his 'beloved homeland'. The World Youth Day festival, invented by the late Pope, is held in a different part of the world every three years. Thousands of young Catholics from around the world have gathered in Cologne for a week of festivities. The highlight of his visit will be an open-air Mass on Sunday at a venue 27km (16.7 miles) from the city centre. Preparations are being made to welcome a congregation of up to a million people. The Pope has frequently bemoaned the waning role the Church plays in Europe and says that he hopes that the trip to Germany will help kick-start 'a wave of new faith among young people, especially the youth in Germany and Europe'.

night, Claire! :-) Joy

Night Little Ray.....Have we bored you to bed? lol BC

Hi Little Ray it's me - big Anne!!!! sorry I have gone back to my normal name!!!! Annexx aka big Anne

Fantastic! Thanks ever so much Heather! Nite nite c x

Well i'm all tuckered out, so i'm gonna turn in for the night! sees ya all tomorrow c x

Yep Ray, Ill send you one of son with girl on his knee and Anthony and Maxwell standing behind. Also a good one of Anthony, Max and Saskia which I reckon son should have sold to the Sun!

Well Lisa, it's been very nice to meet you...... i'll keep my eyes open for you Take care c x

nice speaking 2 u all even if it was brief, off 2 bed now got work 2mrw but I'll b back, (well if I can find my way back that is). bye 4 now Lisa x

ooooh very nice Heather...do we get to see them too? How's Ralphie doing? c x

very good @ boasting not as good as u 4 boasting lol

It's strange Len..... after the day i've had you'd have thought i'd be glad for a bit of a rest lol c x

Well, Im entertaining myself looking at photos of my son at the Big Brother wrap party. Hows that for a bit of boasting, eh?

Yeah, they need to be patient with me around, don't ya BC? lol c x

It's nice that you added a smile Len :-) BC

I've read about your condition but never experienced it so cannot empathise. [:-)) len

thanks & goodo cause it's my 1st time, me not used 2 chat rooms

Hello Lisa :-) We are all very kind and patient on here.....Welcome! XX BC

Hey Lisa Welcome to the mad house! I'm one of the resident nutters that you find on here all day every day and if you're gonna quote Robbie to me, then we'll get on just fine! Have fun sweetie and remember that we're always around if you need us c x

Yey..... back to 'Pope Watch' You read my mind sweetie,...... was only thinking about looking this new one up! not heard anything from him since they chose him c x