The youth of the world are invited to World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Pope Benedict XVI announced on the 21st of August 2005 that the next World Youth Day pilgrimage would be held down under in Sydney, Australia from July 15th to July 20th, 2008.

"And now, as the living presence of the Risen Christ in our midst nourishes our faith and hope, I am pleased to announce that the next World Youth Day will take place in Sydney, Australia, in 2008. We entrust to the maternal guidance of Mary most holy, the future course of the young people of the whole world." (Pope Benedict XVI, Cologne, Germany, 21 August 2005)

World Youth Day is the Catholic Church's week of events for youth and with youth. It gathers thousands of young people from around the world to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith and to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures. Initiated by Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day has been held every year since 1986 when the first event was held in Rome. Sydney will host the 10th international WYD and XXIII WYD overall.

Inspired by great gatherings of the world's young people for special youth events in Rome in 1983-84, Pope John Paul II established World Youth Day as an annual event and a way to reach out to the next generation of Catholics and spread the Church's teachings. World Youth Day has been held in Buenos Aires (1987), Santiago de Compostela (1989), Czestochowa (1991), Denver (1993), Manila (1995), Paris (1997), Rome (2000 Jubilee), Toronto (2002), and Cologne (2005).

The Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie is preparing to send a delegation of young people between the ages of 18 and 35 to this international faith event.

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