10 days to go for WYD, Rio waits for Pope Francis: Card. Rylko
Vatican City, 13 July 2013: In Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro, truly exists
an atmosphere of great expectations for the visit of the Holy Father and for the World
Youth Day, said Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, President of the Pontifical Council for
the Laity. He was speaking to Vatican Radio on his return from Rio de Janeiro, where
he had gone to see the final preparations for the World Youth Day scheduled for July
23 to 28. Each WYD surprises us with joy and hope it brings, and that not only
communicates to the whole Church, but to the whole world. Of course, in Brazil, the
great expectation is for the visit of Pope Francis - the first Latin American Pope
- who has already won the hearts of all of us, added the Cardinal.
When asked
about the current stage of preparations for World Youth Day, Cardinal Rylko said that
he is very impressed by the generosity and intelligence execution of those engaged
in the preparations, adding that it is truly an unparalleled event which is truly
a global or Catholic event. The gathering in Rio carioca affects not only the city,
but the entire Church in Brazil, and is preceded, in fact, the so-called "Missionary
Week", during which young people from different countries will be able to visit most
of the Dioceses Brazilian and thus make their witness of faith.
He said that
the place prepared for Mass of World Youth Day in Rio is much larger than Cuatro Vientos
in Madrid, and that he would not be surprised if he meets more than two million young
people in Rio.
When asked about the recent Social protests of people, Cardinal
Rylko said that at present, the general climate throughout the country is calm. The
Federal Government and the state government of Rio assure us that they will do everything
possible to ensure that the World Youth Day and the visit of Pope Francis take place
in a calm and undisturbed manner.Source: VR Ita