More Than One Million Expected to Attend World Youth Day Closing Mass

Javier Cremades, director of activities for World Youth Day in Madrid, is expecting more than one million people to attend the event's closing Mass on Aug. 21. The Cuatro Vientos Airfield will be the site of “a great festival” beginning with a vigil on August 20 and culminating with the closing Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict the following morning.

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Pope Will Consecrate Youth to Sacred Heart at WYD

Pope Benedict will consecrate youth to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during the prayer vigil at World Youth Day. WYD organizers announced the consecration, saying that "it is intended to accomplish the aim of every World Youth Day: that young people be brought closer to Christ."

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Programme of the Pope's August Trip to Spain

The Holy See Press Office has released the programme of Benedict XVI's forthcoming apostolic trip to Madrid, Spain, for the twenty-sixth World Youth Day. Visit this article to find out where you will be able to see the Holy Father in Spain!

World Youth Day Registration High; Many Want to Volunteer

Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, who leads the Vatican agency organizing World Youth Day, said that some 440,000 young people had already signed up, a record number for registrations with the event still six weeks away. More than 35,000 young Catholics have applied for one of 22,500 places in the vast volunteer corps, he said.

Registration for World Youth Day Hits Record High

World Youth Day organizers announced today that 440,000 young people have already signed up for the international gathering set for this coming August – a record enrollment figure this far out from the event.  “World Youth Day is an extraordinary experience for a Church which is a friend to the young, sharing their problems, a Church which is at the service of the younger generations,” said the President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, at a June 28 Vatican press conference.

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Colombia to Set Attendance Record at 2011 World Youth Day

This August, Colombia will set a new attendance record when 5,000 of its youth participate in the 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid. Last week, the Colombian Embassy to the Holy See confirmed the estimated number of participants, stating that, "for the first time, since the creation of the World Youth Days by Blessed John Paul II, some 5,000 Colombian youth will participate." Visit this article to read more.

Take Part in the World Youth Day Survey

The World Youth Day team in Madrid would like to get to know you! Take part in this official WYD survey so the the team can find out the nationalities, ages and expectations of the pilgrims coming to Madrid this August.

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A Very Special “UN” - Meet the WYD Organizing Committee

According to the Cardinal of Madrid, working for the World Youth Day office in Madrid is like being in a “mini-UN”. Young people from all over the world, including Australia, Brazil, Denmark and Taiwan, have been working together for months to make World Youth Day a success.

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Nearly 20,000 Priests Expected to Attend World Youth Day

Nearly 20,000 priests are expected to accompany the young people attending World Youth Day 2011 in August, announced Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco of Madrid, Spain.

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World Youth Day Accreditation for Priests & Deacons

Attention all Priests and Deacons planning to attend World Youth Day. You will need special accreditation to participate in the events!

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