Rio de Janeiro a welcoming capital

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2013-01-10 L'Osservatore Romano

More than 63,000 volunteers have signed up and 3,500 of them have already begun work. And with the start of the new year, more and more volunteers are registering every day. This is just one of the most important figures of the 28th World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro from 23-28 July. Just a few days less than 200 days before the meeting, Archbishop Orani João Tempesta described the preparations to our newspaper in this interview. Archbishop Tempesta hopes that the participants will enrol "as soon as possible" in order to "better organize the hospitality". Speaking about the spaces which will host the events, the Prelate - who is the head of the local organizing committee - spoke of the area of Guaratiba, which will host some of the concluding celebrations. He stated that Guaratiba "was chosen from the very beginning and which was insisted upon despite the logistical issues", explaining how they wished to emphasize even the less attractive areas of the Carioca city.

How are the preparations coming?

We are already in the homestretch and beginning to see the finish line. The recent visit by the delegation of the Vatican further reinforced the planning for the 2013 WYD in Rio.

Where will the youth stay?

We have provided for three kinds: hotels, private residences, as well as other kinds.

What will be the main sites of the WYD in Rio?

The large events will take place in two different areas: the famous Copacabana beach and Guaratiba.

Gianluca Biccini