20 Million Liters of Mineral Water and 12,500 Bathrooms
VATICAN CITY, AUGUST 11 (ZENIT.org).- "All roads lead to Rome," says the old proverb. Organizers of World Youth Day are taking advantage of this to provide six different routes for the hundreds of thousands of young people backpacking to Tor Vergata, located on the outskirts of Rome, to participate in their appointment with the Pope.
Tor Vergata was chosen because St. Peter's Square is simply not big enough for the masses of youths attending their special Jubilee. The setting is an 865-acre field, which until a few months ago was full of trash and mud, but which has been transformed by the City of Rome into a green area to welcome the youths.
Security
The 6 routes are to be travelled on foot, the longest being 6.7 miles and the shortest just over 3. The roads that the youth of the third millennium will walk on will have service personnel available, including doctors and police ready for any emergency. At the start of the young pilgrims' walk is a station offering all services. On each one of the roads, there are centers with bathrooms and mineral water: 20 million liters of this water will be available without charge. Medical motorcycles will be constantly on the 6 roads to insure the well-being of the young pilgrims; each of the roads has 15 posts with volunteers to attend to the youths' needs.
When arriving in Tor Vergara, the 6 rivers of youth will flow into a delta divided into sectors, according to the road taken to arrive at the venue. Each pilgrim will have a ticket and security card in the color of his assigned area. Green, for example, is reserved for physically handicapped persons (some 5,000), who will be taken directly to their area in front of the papal platform.
30 Kilometers of New Highways
The organization for the World Youth Day is very imposing, indeed. Among other things, it entailed the construction of 30 kilometers of new highways. The city will also provide free public transportation from August 14 to 21 for all youths with a pass for World Youth Day.
Stefano Landi, assistant extraordinary commissioner for the Jubilee, explained some of the organizational details on Vatican Radio. "At present, we are finishing the installation of 38 service centers, which will be available to youth when they arrive in the field. They are 'technical areas,' to give them a name, including a police post, first aid center, some commercial stands, a post for the free distribution of drinking water (there will also be a total of 3,000 fountains), and, more important, bins to throw away trash. In some of these 38 centers, there are information posts so that youths can find out about their return trip and stay in Rome.
Thousands of Bathrooms
One of the biggest problems for mass events is the sanitary facilities, of utmost importance keeping in mind that many youths will spend Saturday-Sunday night, the 19th-20th, in the field. However, Landi has matters under control. "Well, in the Tor Vergata venue, it will be easier to see the bathrooms than the main platform. We have already installed 12,500. Imagine, we are talking about miles of sanitary services," he said lightheartedly.
Carrying a backpack, Landi himself walked the distance the youths face; it took him two and a half hours. "Keep in mind that I am somewhat of a grown up youngster, as I am 44. I imagine that if I was 18 it would have taken me less time."
Youths who want a good place to be able to see the Pope better during Saturday's Vigil, will begin arriving at 2 a.m. that day. By 4 p.m. almost all of them will be in their places.
The focus of the meeting will be a nearly 120-foot wooden cross and a a huge platform that will house the sanctuary.
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