(July 03, 2010) With 409 days remaining before the World Youth Day celebrations open
in Madrid, the organizers of the event are reporting that over 600,000 pilgrims from
countries outside Spain have pre-registered to take part in the week-long encounter
with the Holy Father. The event, which will take place in Madrid from August 16-21,
2011, is a week long journey of faith and solidarity for young people around the world.
The large international gathering occurs every three years, and culminates with vespers,
an overnight vigil and an outdoor Mass celebrated by the Pope. So far, organizers
report that 120,000 Italians, 70,000 French, 50,000 Poles and 25,000 North Americans
have signed up for the event. The majority of the pilgrims have signed up in groups,
whether it is from their diocese, youth group, parish, or other organization. Each
pilgrim is required to pay a registration fee based on their country of origin, the
length of their stay and the services they will require. Though part of the fee will
help finance the event, a part of each pilgrim’s registration fee will be set aside
in a “solidarity fund” which will help pay the cost of the trip and their stay for
those who would not otherwise be able to afford it. World Youth Day “is not for the
rich, but rather for everyone, for those who come from Madagascar and from the south
of Latin America.” said Bishop Cesar Franco, an auxiliary bishop in Madrid. He underlined
the necessity of the 10 Euro contribution to the “solidarity fund” which has been
added to each pilgrim’s registration. The organisers expect a crowd that is 15 percent
larger than those of previous World Youth Days.