Sydney is chosen - The Holy Father's announcement
And now, as the living presence of the Risen Christ in our midst nourishes our faith and hope, I am pleased to announce that the next World Youth Day will take place in Sydney, Australia, in 2008. We entrust to the maternal guidance of Mary most holy, the future course of the young people of the whole world.
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, 21 August 2005
How thrilled we were to hear these words in August 2005, when Pope Benedict XVI announced Sydney as the host of the XXIII World Youth Day. The announcement was made in Cologne, at the conclusion of the XX World Youth Day celebration.
This was the way our incredible 3 year journey of planning, preparation and anticipation began for Sydney, Australia... and the youth of the world.
The
dates and the
theme for WYD08 have been set... our
logo has been created... the
ePILGRIMAGE is underway and the Handover of the WYD Cross and Icon of Our Lady has taken place in Rome.
WYD08 will be the occasion of the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia and we very much look forward to welcoming him to the "Southern Land of the Holy Spirit". (Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Oceania, John Paul II 22 November 2001)
Through the WYD08 experience, young people from throughout the world will make a pilgrimage in faith, meet, and experience hospitality and the love of God. The young people will have an opportunity to rediscover their baptismal calling and the centrality of the sacraments of the Eucharist and reconciliation, and so discover a new apostolic zeal to witness more fully the Gospel in the modern world.
