TORONTO, MARCH 26, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Delegations of young people from 12 countries took part in a Palm Sunday liturgy here in preparation for World Youth Day.
The youngsters sang and played guitars in St. Basil's Church. To date, 135,000 youths from 144 countries have registered for World Youth Day, although 450,000 are expected to attend.
"We expect much from this day," said Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, the coordinator of the WYD organizing committee. "For the first time, the media is talking about the Church in absolutely positive terms. If there is something that is discussed it is that, finally, in a secularized society, there is renewed talk of Christ. The Pope will do the rest later."
Ontario's capital is ready. "I remember the first time I came here, a year and a half ago," said Marco Bedeschi, the president of the operative branch of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. "There were some who had never heard talk about WYD. Today there are posters everywhere."
ZENIT - The World Seen from Rome
26. mars 2002