Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his condolences to victims of hurricane Katrina. In a telegram message sent yesterday from the Vatican, the Pope said that he was "deeply saddened" and promised his prayers for all those affected by the storm that violently struck the southeastern United States beginning Monday morning. He also encouraged relief workers to "persevere in their efforts to bring relief and support."

If you are interested in helping the victims of hurricane Katrina, visit RedCross.org or call the Red Cross at 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Pope Benedict XVI reflected on his recent four-day trip to Cologne, Germany for World Youth Day from Castel Gandolfo:

"It really was an extraordinary ecclesial experience at Cologne last week," Benedict told pilgrims and tourists at the papal summer palace. The pontiff said that the young participants left the city "animated by a great hope without, nonetheless, losing sight of the not few difficulties, the obstacles and the problems that in our time accompany the authentic search for Christ and faithful adhesion to his Gospel."

Read more: Pope exalts aftermath of World Youth Day

On Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI will depart Rome for Cologne, Germany to join the World Youth Day festivities. The celebration will conclude on Sunday with a Mass at which the Pope will preside.

On August 16, the first day of the WYD festivities, Pope Benedict XVI conducted the first formal interview of his Pontificate with Vatican Radio. He said that he hopes World Youth Day will spark "a wave of new faith among young people, especially in the young people of Germany and Europe." According to Catholic World News:

Young people are always "full of problems, but also full of hope," the Pontiff observed. They want to learn about life for themselves, rather than have others "regurgitate it for them." He said that he wants to convey the vigor and beauty of Christian thought, so that they realize that "wisdom is not something stale."

Read more: Pope gives rare radio interview

The Official Website | EWTN Coverage | Weekly Schedule | Vatican RadioThis post will be updated daily with new material over the course of this week. Likewise, check out Amy Welborn who has all the goods, including links to all those live-blogging the events. - ChristopherAddresses of Pope Benedict XVI during WYD '05 / Visit to Cologne Farewell ceremony at the International Airport of Cologne/

Loyal Pope Blog readers, today's post is an invitation to take action to help the people of northern Uganda. Pope John Paul II himself spoke out against the evils of using children as soldiers:

"For more than 18 years, northern Uganda is troubled by an inhumane conflict which involves millions of persons, including children. Many of them, gripped by fear and deprived of any future, feel forced to become soldiers," John Paul said. He urged the international community and national political leaders to end the conflict and "offer real prospects of peace to the entire Ugandan nation."

Take action by signing the petition for peace in northern Uganda at the Uganda-CAN Web site.