Scottish Catholic Observer

In his remarks to the faithful during his Sunday Angelus at Castel Gandolfo yesterday, the Pope described the upcoming events a year from now as ‘a valuable opportunity for many young people to experience the joy and beauty of belonging to the Church and living the faith.’

The World Youth Day events take place in the city on July 23-28 next year, with pilgrims taking part in Missions Week in host and nearby dioceses in the week before the main events.

Copacabana Beach will provide the venue for the opening Mass, the welcoming ceremony with the Pope and the traditional Way of the Cross procession. The Santa Cruz Air Force Base on the western side of the city will host the vigil on July 27 and the closing Mass on July 28, and two million pilgrims are expected to gather there.

Organisers are currently proposing to keep the Christ the Redeemer monument (above) in the city open for 24 hours a day throughout the World Youth Day events in addition to arranging Masses and blessings for pilgrims at the site.

The World Youth Day events are normally held within three-year intervals, but the Rio event will held a year early to avoid clashing with the Football World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in the city.