Vatican City, Aug 24, 2011 / 16:06 pm
L’Osservatore Romano has reported that the dates for the next World Youth Day have been set for July 23-28, 2013 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
In an article titled, “Next Stop, Rio de Janeiro,” published on Aug. 24, reporter Gianluca Biccini said, “From 23 to 28 July 2013 the Corcovado’s giant statue of the Christ the Redeemer will welcome in its symbolic embrace young people from all over the world for the next international installment of (World Youth Day).”
“The clock is ticking,” Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta of Rio de Janiero said shortly after the closing Mass of World Youth Day Madrid 2011.
“We want to show that Rio is not only about sports and Carnival. Our WYD will be an opportunity for young people who are affected by problems such as poverty, violence and drugs.”
The Brazilian delegation at the Cuatro Vientos airfield in Madrid received the World Youth Day cross from the youth of Spain. It will soon begin its pilgrimage across Brazil. “The country is immense, and we want the pilgrimage to reach all 247 dioceses in Brazil before reaching Rio de Janeiro, two months before the event,” the archbishop said.
The last World Youth Day to take place in Latin America was in 1987 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“To organize (World Youth Day) is a joy and an opportunity for the Catholics of our archdiocese, for Brazil and for the faithful of Latin America.
“It is not only about welcoming young people from all over the world, but about renewing our trust in the Holy Spirit to be disciples and missionaries and to confirm our commitment to the realities of social life and to build a civilization of love,” Archbishop Tempesta said.