Here are interesting facts and important sites you should know about for World Youth Day 2011:
-World Youth Day (WYD) was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1986.
-It is a weeklong event that is held every two to three years in various locations throughout the world.
-Hundreds of thousands of young people gather for WYD.
-Pope's public appearances are the highlights of WYD. He typically arrives in the 'Popemobile' and greets crowds of people who have gathered for his arrival. The largest gathering is when the Pontiff celebrates the final Mass at the end of WYD.
-The next World You Day will be a six day event, starting from August 16, 2011 and ending on August 21, 2011.
-The event is held in various locations around the world. Madrid, Spain was chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for 2011. He revealed the location at the final Mass in Australia at Sydney's Royal Randwick Racecourse during World Youth Day 2008. It will be the second time that Spain will host the event. World Youth Day 1989 was held at Santiago de Compostela.
http://www.madrid11.com/JMJ2011ESP/REVISTA/cabecerasypies/PreHome.asp
http://www.vatican.va/gmg/documents/gmg_chronicle-wyd_20020325_en.html
http://www.vatican.va/gmg/documents/