The activities will now be transferred to Copacabana beach, which is already the site of the Opening Mass, Papal welcoming ceremony and Way of the Cross.
As a result of the change, participants will not make a 13 km pilgrimage, part of the original plan, as all motor vehicles would have been required to stop at a distance outside of Campus Fidei.
Additionally, pilgrims will not be spending the night at the beach, as they would have done at Campus Fidei. Organizers had spent months preparing the field for approximately one million overnight guests, ensuring adequate water, restrooms, medical facilities and other necessities. These preparations have not been made at Copacabana beach.
The new schedule ends with the Saturday prayer vigil with the Holy Father at 7:30 p.m. Events will resume on Sunday with Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at 10 a.m.
"It was a difficult decision, but responsible, always thinking in the safety of our pilgrims," explained Msgr. Paulo Cezar Costa, vice president of the Local Organizing Committee for World Youth Day.
"Copacabana has always been our plan B, and now we must apply it," he continued. "The pilgrims in Rio de Janeiro are already feeling the fruits of World Youth Day. Let's keep this World Youth Day cheerful and happy."
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