January 29, 2013. (Romereports.com)  The spectacular and famed Copacabana beach will be at the center of attention on July 25, when the Pope meets with an expected two million youths from across the entire world. Between July 23 and 28, Rio de Janeiro will host the World Youth Day, which despite the title, actually spans over several days. With six months to go, organizers are finalizing details.



FR. LEANDRO LÉNIN TAVARES
Executive Director for Pastoral Preparation and Catechesis WYD Rio 2013
“We really don't know the amount of people that we will really have during the days of World Youth Day, 44,23 but we think that even the number in Madrid I think we can reach, because especially not only in Brazil, but the whole Latin America, are all full of joy and wanting they wonder the day they will be in Rio de Janeiro.”

On Thursday, July 25, the welcome ceremony will take place at Copacabana beach, a renown symbol of the city, which takes its name from Our Lady of Copacabana, one of the oldest and most popular Marian avocations throughout the Americas.

The following day, on Friday, July 26, in addition to the Via Crucis in Copacabana, there will be several sessions throughout the city broken up by the language of the participants.

Organizers are hoping that the Pope will also meet with several youths at the Christ the Redeemer statue, but it will have to be a small scale event due to limited access and space on the mountain top.

On Saturday, July 27, the Vigil will take place at nighttime, while the next day, on the 28, the Mass will close off the ceremonies at Guaratiba, a large space that is being reworked to accommodate the people expected to spend the night from July 27 to the 28.

As Rio prepares to host WYD, its natural beauty and scenery will also help organizers ensure that the events will be memorable.


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