Madrid, Spain, Aug 21, 2011 / 09:59 am
Rio de Janeiro in Brazil will host World Youth Day in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI told a million young pilgrims after celebrating Mass at Mardrid’s Cuarto Vientos airbase on August 21.
“Even now, let us ask the Lord to assist all those who will organize it and to ease the journey there of young people from all over the world, so that they will be able to join me in that beautiful city of Brazil,” the Pope said in comments following his midday Angelus prayer.
Brazilians who had come to Spain for World Youth Day 2011 felt overjoyed after hearing the morning announcement.
“We are very happy because the Papa has announced this,” said 18-year-old Felipe Vilvert of Parana, Brazil, to CNA.