The Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro addressed recent comments made by
the city's mayor, claiming that the 2013 World Youth Day will be held in
Rio.
The press secretary for the archdiocese, Adionel Carlos da
Cunha, told CNA that the recent comments by Rio's Mayor Eduard Paes
express the wishes of the people in Rio de Janeiro but cannot be
interpreted as a Vatican confirmation of Rio as next city to host the
World Youth Day.
Mayor Paes recently told the press that the 2013 World Youth Day will
be held in Rio de Janeiro. He added that the official announcement
would be made later this month.
However, the archdiocesan spokesman told CNA on Aug. 4 that while the
city wishes to be selected as the next World Youth Day site, the
confirmation will come only on the morning of Aug. 21 when the Pope
himself reveals his choice.
He added that the people's expectations in regards to host an event
with the Pope are high because the country was recently chosen to host a
number of major international events such as the 2014 World Cup and the
2016 Summer Olympics.
This week, Rio's secretary for tourism, Antonio Pedro de Mello told
Reuters that other cities such as Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte are also
in the running to host World Youth Day in 2013.
“At least 600,000 people will travel to Brazil to attend this event in a Catholic country with millions of followers. It will be important for publicizing the city's image and for obtaining foreign currency, as the event will last approximately 10 days.”
“At least 600,000 people will travel to Brazil to attend this event in a Catholic country with millions of followers. It will be important for publicizing the city's image and for obtaining foreign currency, as the event will last approximately 10 days.”
Last June, Almir Franco de Sa Barbuda, appointed by President Dilma
Rousseff to be Brazil’s ambassador to the Holy See, stated that the next
World Youth Day could take place in the country.