With World Youth Day 2005 just months away, thousands of Chinese young people are expressing their enthusiasm for participating in an event convened by Pope John Paul II.

According to Fides, many young Chinese have visited the official WYD website in order to get information about attending.  The experience of many Chinese at World Youth Day in the Philippines in 1996 has motivated others to want to participate in the event.

On young Chinese man told Fides that many young people will take a few days of vacation from school and work to attend WYD.  “We do not want to miss this opportunity.  We are so excited about participating in WYD, an event that will make us feel in complete communion with the universal Church,” he said.