February 5, 2013
(Romereports.com) In about six
months, Benedict XVI will travel to Brazil, to lead World Youth Day in
Rio on July 25th. Organizers say, many youths, perhaps even millions are expected.
“One
important thing that's happened is that many young people that where
out of the Church, they have already come back. So this is a fantastic
thing that is going on in Brazil,” said Leandro Lénin Tavares, director for Pastoral Preparation and Catechesis WYD Rio 2013.
The
registration period is still open. Organizers say, at this point
they're expecting more people than WYD in Madrid, where about 1.5 million people attended.
About 60,000 volunteers have already signed up and the number is expected to reach 70,000.
Since September 2011 when the WYD cross began its international journey, about 4 million young Brazilians have prayed before it.
MONS. PAULO CEZAR COSTA
Auxiliary Bishop of Rio de Janeiro
“Right
now the Youth Cross is traveling all over Brazil, really through all
its dioceses as a way to invite young people to Rio de Janeiro. There's
also a monthly vigil in the city to pray for World Youth Day.”
FR. LEANDRO LÉNIN TAVARES
Director, Pastoral Preparation and Catechesis WYD Rio 2013
“We
have many other big venues that are coming, like the World Cup of
Soccer and the Olympic Games. So World Youth Day will open these big
events, and now I think we have all the cooperation that we need.”
At this point organizers say they have about 200,000 sites to accommodate and house some of the pilgrims. Since registration is still open, they expect those numbers to increase before the big day.
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