Californian at WYD seeks signatures from around the world

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 28, 2013 / 14:26 pm

Mike Alvarado is on a mission at World Youth Day to get people from around the world to sign his curious-looking flag.

The 29-year-old American carried to Rio one large flag made up of smaller flags from 150 countries. By the end of World Youth Day he hopes to have the signatures of young people from all the countries represented on his flag.

Alvarado, a director of youth ministry at a high school in California, is a three-time attendee of World Youth Day.

"In Madrid, I collected 117 signatures but my flag had fewer countries.  Now I hope to get more," he told CNA on Sunday.

His own family hails from various backgrounds.

"I am a mix of Spanish, Mexican, Irish and American.  In other words, I am a completely average America," he joked.

Pierre, a French youth who signed the flag, said Alvarado's idea was interesting.

"It's awesome," he said.

Alvarado was also enthusiastic about his project.

"I like this flag a lot and it's definitely a good way to meet people," he added.