Operational plans for World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) received the thumbs up from the Vatican body that oversees preparations.The plans cover 23 separate events during the WYD08 week from 15 - 20 July next year, some of which will be attended by Pope Benedict.
The largest event will be the Final Mass for an estimated 500,000 people at Randwick Racecourse.
WYD08 Bishop Anthony Fisher said members of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (PCL) were briefed on 17,000 pages of plans.
"The PCL were extremely positive and even made some helpful suggestions," Bishop Fisher said from Rome.
"We now have a final blueprint for staging the world's biggest youth event in Sydney next year," he said.
Bishop Fisher said that indications were that WYD08 will meet its target of 125,000 international visitors.
"We are very pleased with the level of international interest shown to date.
"The largest source countries at this point are the United States, Italy and Germany."
Media Registration for World Youth Day 2008 opens
World Youth Day organisers have opened media registration for WYD08.
All domestic and international media organisations are invited to register.
Media registration is found at: www.wyd2008.org/media
Organisers are expecting between 3000 - 5000 media to attend and report on World Youth Day. Media are encouraged to register early in order to secure their position at the event.
Registration closes on 20 June 2008.
31,000 kms, 5 States & Territories and 500 events in 5 months for the first World Youth Day Cross and Icon team
The first leg of the Journey of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady around Australia has been completed.
Organisers today thanked the team of five volunteers who visited 200 communities and directly engaged over 250,000 people since 1 July 2007.
The Australian Journey started with the arrival of the Cross and Icon from New Zealand on 1 July 2007, greeted by then Prime Minister John Howard and NSW Premier Morris Iemma.
Bishop Anthony Fisher said the first team of volunteers were "outstanding."
"They embarked on a physical, emotional and spiritual journey, taking the WYD message to many places that would not normally have had the chance to experience this great event or the work of the Australian Catholic community," he said.
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