Madrid, Spain, May 9, 2011 / 11:40 am
Some 340,000 young people from more than 170 countries have signed up to participate in World Youth Day Madrid.
The main objective of the event, World Youth Day 2011's executive director said, is “so young people experience Madrid as a welcoming city and that their days here be unforgettable.”
Events are scheduled for Aug. 16 – 21 and include a vigil and Mass with Pope Benedict XVI.
The head of this year's World Youth Day, Yago de la Cierva, said the planning phase ended in January 2011. Since then, organizers have been working with the Vatican and Madrid city officials on implementing the plans. A large contingent of full and part-time volunteers were marshaled to manage logistics.