World Youth Day 2008

(July 12, 2008) World Youth Day (WYD08) 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 mobilisation 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.

Theme for WYD08:
World Youth Day is an invitation from the Pope to the youth of the world to celebrate their faith around a particular theme. The WYD08 theme, received from Pope Benedict XVI is:
'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.' Acts 1:8 This passage occurs after the death and resurrection of Jesus, just before his ascension to the Father. It represents the birth of the Church.

Key WYD08 Statistics:
*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 700 Cardinals and Bishops will be present
*Between 3,000 - 5,000 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 Home Stay program
*Approximately 20,000 will stay in Sydney hotels. 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)
*The four official WYD08 languages are: English, French, Italian and Spanish
WYD08 logo
*The logo distils the essence of the theme for WYD08 and highlights the promise made by Jesus to set fire upon the Earth by the power of the Holy Spirit which inspires the pilgrims who come to Australia, to believe and witness to Him.
*Central to the logo is the Cross raised in victory, representing Christ and the life of witness which the Holy Spirit enables. It is the passion of the heart of Christ, poured out into the world from the Cross, which consumes the young people of Sydney, of Australia and of the world. The whiteness of the Cross indicates that Jesus is the light of the world.
*The flames of the logo represent the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in tongues of fire. They evoke the Sacrament of Confirmation and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The colours of red, orange and yellow flowing throughout symbolise the Trinity and Unity of God. They also bring to mind the colours of the Australian outback.
*The blue of the logo represents the oceans that surround Australia, the waters of Baptism, the sea of humanity and Mary, full of grace.
*The Opera House is the symbol of Sydney, the host city for WYD08.