Thousands of young people from around the world have begun gathering in Germany to mark the 20th annual Catholic World Youth Day.
Around 2,000 Irish youths have travelled to Cologne for the festival, which continues until Sunday.
Up to 800,000 people are expected to converge on the German city for the event.
Pope Benedict XVI will attend the festival on Thursday.
The visit is the 78-year-old pontiff's first trip abroad since his election to the papacy in April.
It is thought that some delegates will use the Pope’s visit to address the Vatican's opposition to condom use to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
