OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Australia is ready for WYD 2008!

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - 225,000 people are now expected to attend the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney. In a press conference held in Rome on April 7, the Australian Ambassadors to Italy and to the Holy See announced that “Australia is ready to receive the pilgrims of WYD,” offering an update on the event that will take place July 15-20. There are currently 125,000 foreign registrations for the event, who will be accompanied by nearly 500 bishops. From Italy alone, there will be 15,000 pilgrims along with 38 bishops. There are youth expected from over 160 different countries. The Australian government has made efforts to facilitate the arrival of so many visitors. Registration has been made possible on the WYD website and the process can all be carried out from one’s own country. In the majority of the cases, the process is almost automatic, and tax-free.
“The World Youth Day events will certainly be organized with great care and perfection,” said the Australian Ambassador in Italy, Amanda Vanstone, assuring “the warm and friendly welcome that we are known for around the world.” Anne Plunkett, the Ambassador to the Holy See, insisted on the commitment being made on behalf of the government so that pilgrims “may travel in serenity and security.” Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, has thanked the Government of South Wales for their contribution to the effort. Speaking of the spirit of great expectance and enthusiasm among the youth in Australia, he said that WYD “will be the greatest event ever organized in our country. We are sure that they will be days of enthusiasm that will strengthen the faith of youth all over the world.” (AM) (Agenzia Fides 8/4/2008; righe 21, parole 278)