Over 100 Filipino pilgrims who went to Madrid’s World Youth Day have gone missing. “Fewer than 300 of the 427 delegated have returned,” said Fr Noel Osial, head of Manilia’s Don Bosco parish. “There are really some who are using this World Youth Day as an avenue (for illegal immigration) because they have relatives already Read more
Spain’s capital, Madrid, netted a NZ$280 million WYD profit, reports Arturo Fernandez, the president of Madrid’s House of Commerce. The surplus was generated by accommodation, transport services and business such as food providers. The director of the Hotel Industry Business Association in Madrid, Juan Jose Blardony, said three million meal tickets were distributed to young people Read more
Just before flying out of Madrid, Pope Benedict took time out and stopped at the Madrid IFEMA conference centre to say thanks to the 14,000 volunteers who worked to stage World Youth Day. “With your service, you have shown the face of kindness, friendliness and commitment to others,” the the 84 year old pope said. Read more
Pilgrims will not be likely to forget the 2011 Madrid World Youth Day in a hurry. Any event that gathers 1.5 – 2 million young people together to celebrate their faith is a huge success, and whether it be the intense heat, untimely rain and wind or the growth in faith, the atmosphere of the Read more
Responding to protests in Spain that Spanish taxpayers will be footing the bill for World Youth Day, the Vatican has released a statement saying that all costs will be absorbed by participants and corporate sponsors. The Vatican acknowledged there will be some indirect costs to the country such as security and traffic control, but it Read more
Martin Leung-Wai, a 25-year-old New Zealander who was one of 12 young people to share lunch with Pope Benedict said it “made my World Youth Day experience the experience of a lifetime”. Leung-Wai, a 25-year-old from Auckland, said, “Having lunch with the Holy Father is something you tell your family and friends and future generations about”. Read more
Pope Benedict braved thunder, lightning, strong winds and torrential rain to preside at the 2011 WYD vigil prayer service. “Be proud of the gift of faith which you have received, as it will illumine your life at every moment,” the Pope said to 1.5 million young people at Cuatro Vientos air base on the outskirts Read more
The arrival of Pope Benedict, World Youth Day in Madrid moved up a gear and in Benedict’s words, Madrid has become the capital of the world for youth. Amid the heat of the burning sun, the 1.5 – 2 million pilgrims, the need for water, all didn’t seem to matter to Jo Anne Rowney who Read more
