A shortfall in registrations for World Youth Day in Brazil this month has led organisers to ask government officials for an extra $NZ50 million to cover costs.
Recent mass protests across Brazil — against the lack of investment in public services compared with the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Olympics and the WYD — may have discouraged attendance.
Pope Francis will visit the July 23-28 celebrations, in the country with the world’s largest Catholic population.