The Vatican, Saturday, unveiled an iPhone App to aid pilgrims’ participation in World Youth Day 2011. The new App, iGPII, named after the founder of WYD, former Pope John Paul II, works on iPod, iPhone and iPad, and will provide regularly updated information about World Youth day activities, directions to recommended restaurants, places to stay and Read more
The American Catholic bishops have created a virtual WYD pilgrimage experience, launching a Website and Facebook page to help those staying at home participate in World Youth Day 2011. On the website, users can create an avatar and use it to participate in the “pilgrimage” coinciding with the August 16-21 worldwide youth gathering. A Google map Read more
A group Spanish priests have criticised the Church for getting sponsorship for the Pope’s visit to World Youth Day (WYD) in August. In a rare break in public loyalty, the 120 priests told their archbishop, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, that the sponsorship deals reinforced the impression the Church was a privileged institution. The Church Read more
Organisers of World Youth Day 2011 are estimating the event will pump NZ$180 million into the Spanish economy. Fernando Gimenez Barriocanal, World Youth Day’s finance manager, reported that “nearly NZ$90 million will come from abroad and will remain in Spain.” The event’s organizers are now focused on increasing registration, especially among young people in Spain, Read more
With less than 100 days before World Youth Day (WYD) 2011 begins, more than 340,000 young people from 170 countries have registered to attend. Yago de la Cierva, Executive Director of WYD 2011 said the main objective of World Youth Day is for “youth receive a warm welcome in Madrid and spend some unforgettable days Read more