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About World Youth Day 2008
World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July 2008.
WYD is a week-long series of events attended by the Pope and hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the globe. It has become the largest single mobilization of young people in the world.
The week culminates in a Final Mass celebrated by the Pope on the last day (the actual World Youth Day). Typically, it is the largest event of the week and, overseas, has drawn millions of people.
World Youth Day in Sydney
World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July 2008.
WYD is a week-long series of events attended by the Pope and hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the globe. It has become the largest single mobilization of young people in the world.
The week culminates in a Final Mass celebrated by the Pope on the last day (the actual World Youth Day). Typically, it is the largest event of the week and, overseas, has drawn millions of people.
World Youth Day in Sydney
- World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) will be held from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July
- Sydney was announced as the host city for the 23rd World Youth Day at the conclusion of the last international World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany in August 2005
- WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has hosted. It will attract over 125,000 international visitors . more than the 2000 Olympics
- WYD08 will mark the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia
- The Archdiocese of Sydney has established the World Youth Day Trust to prepare for WYD08.
- The event has the strong support of the NSW and Australian governments.
- The NSW Government has created a special agency - the World Youth Day Coordination Authority (WYDCA) - to plan and manage the services it will provide for the event.
- The NSW Government is responsible for providing public transport, policing, emergency healthcare and venues. The Australian Government is responsible for Papal security and immigration.
- WYD08 events will take place in venues across Sydney. The majority of pilgrims will sleep at over 700 venues (classrooms and community halls) in greater Sydney and receive morning Catechesis (or teaching) at 300 venues near their accommodation.
- After lunch, pilgrims will make their way into the city for the major WYD08 events and Youth Festival activities. Sydney CBD venues include Barangaroo (East Darling Harbour), Hyde Park, The Domain, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.
- Up to 225,000 registered pilgrims are expected to take part in WYD08 events each day, including 125,000 international visitors.
- 100,000 Australian pilgrims are expected, including 40,000 from greater Sydney
- An estimated 8,000 volunteers will assist
- An estimated 2,000 clergy will be present
- An estimated 500 Cardinals and Bishops will be present
- Around 3,000 media are expected to cover the event
- 3.5 million meals will be served to pilgrims
- 100,000 will sleep in 700 schools and parishes
- Up to 40,000 will be billeted as part of the HomeStay program
- Approximately 20,000 will stay in paid accommodation such as hostels, boarding houses, hotels and backpacker accommodation. The remainder will make their own arrangements.
- Up to 500,000 people are expected to attend the Final Mass at Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park (which is open to all)
- Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park will be united in name as the 'Southern Cross Precinct' for the Vigil and Final Mass.
- 4,000 toilets for Southern Cross Precinct (Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park)
- 35 large video screens for Southern Cross Precinct
- 60 lighting towers for Southern Cross Precinct
- The four official WYD08 languages are: English, French, Italian and Spanish
- Door-drops to half a million Sydney homes, inviting them to volunteer, become a HomeStay host or attend events during the WYD08 week
- WYD08 will be the most technological event ever, with the Pope to send text messages to all registered pilgrims and digital Prayer Walls available as well
- 100 actors taking part in the Stations of the Cross performance
- 500 chasubles for the Bishops and Cardinals made
- 2000 stoles for the priests
- 1 million communion hosts to be made
- 120 bottles of wine (total) for the Opening Mass and Final Mass
